Glass Half Full: Celebrate Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

by Michael Rome on Aug 21, 2009 9:18 PM EDT in MMA News

We're a little over a week away from UFC 102, and the anticipation is building. The fighters themselves have done a great job promoting their fight before the week of the event, and the UFC will take over the PR push next week. However, I sense a bit of dread in the anticipation for this fight. Instead of being excited, some fans are worried. They're worried Randy will finally hit the wall at age 46. They're worried Nogueira's chin is gone. It's a sad state of affairs when we're being given a dream match like this and all we can do is worry.

Part of the problem is the outlook North American fans have. We insist that fighters always fight the best, so there are no easy fights for top guys in the UFC. Guys like Forrest Griffin win two big fights against top 5 competitors and become "elite" fighters, and then as soon as they lose to other guys on their level their careers are deemed to be over. Within seconds of the end of Couture-Nogueira, a number of fans and journalists will begin chomping at the bit for the loser to retire.

The reality of the situation is that if we're going to get fights like Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, somebody has to lose. Why should we punish ourselves and reduce our future enjoyment of the sport by insisting the loser retire? Both men have legions of fans that will pay to see them fight, and if they believe they are still able to compete, there's no reason to tell these men to stop.

I've waited years to see Nogueira fight Couture. I've wondered what would happen a number of times. It's finally going to happen on the sport's biggest stage, and I refuse to dread the outcome. It's going to be a great fight, and when the dust clears, both men will still be great fighters.

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With all the negative connotations surrounding the description of this marquee match-up, I’m going to plug my ears and say “La la la la la la la…” and enjoy it for what it is, two of the best heavyweights in the world fighting for a chance to regain their title shot.

by DirtyML on Aug 21, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

If only this would have taken place years ago in RINGS …

by FlyByKnight on Aug 21, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

i would have been more interested in seeing this fight right after randy beat gonzaga. that would have been optimal for me, but this will still do just fine.

by bdw on Aug 21, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s a great fight, and style-wise… it’s interesting.

Honestly, who is worried about Couture’s age? I stated that a lot of fans have asked this question… but personally… those SI videos gave me a pretty good idea that Couture is fucking incredible.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Good genetics and HRT for the win.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Aug 21, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

ART?

by DirtyML on Aug 22, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Hormone Replacement Therapy. Yay legal steroids.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Aug 22, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Fans really just need to get past the age factor. Yes, both fighters are long in the tooth, but it isn’t as though they are embarrassing themselves. They are both still fighting competitively at the highest level of the sport. Why must this fight have the implication of winner gets a title shot, loser retires? Lets watch two icons battle, and applaud both when it is over.

by Invictus on Aug 21, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Nog isn’t even old. He has just taken a lifetime of beatings.

"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight what you saw, in the ring"

by crinow on Aug 22, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree:)

Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit.

by mma is #1 on Aug 22, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this article is perfect. I have been wanting to see to this fight for years and now I am going to be able to witness it.

I think it is a shame when we see two of the top fighters face one another and the loser of the fight is branded as washed up, awful, a can, over rated, etc.

Why can’t two of the best fighters in the world fight and come out of the fight still two of the best?

Are mma fans that fickle that they have to jump all over a fighter for a loss?

Invictus said it right, we should all stand and applaud them both once this fight is over, regardless of the result.

www.mmagospel.com

www.blogtalkradio.com/MMAGospel

by Stay Down on Aug 21, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

Are mma fans that fickle that they have to jump all over a fighter for a loss?

A loss, a win, a fight that never happened, a perceived slight, you name it, somebody will jump all over it.

It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.

by capital L on Aug 21, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Just look at the rankings discussions for clarification on fans crushing people for losses, even to top ten competition.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Aug 21, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

That was the one nice thing about PRIDE giving its top fighters cans – we never had to see them lose. Still, if the best fight the best, some of the best have to lose. If Nog hadn’t looked so bad against Mir, this wouldn’t be an issue. Randy looks in great shape, and it seems like Nog is training his ass off to make up for the TKO. I just hope it’s not a close decision, else it’ll renew the 3-or-5 round debate.

Shameless self-promotion! http://twitter.com/scb0212
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Aug 21, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

I’m hoping for a definitive win too. Some people are hoping for a decision just so one guy isnt pressured to retire. You know it’s bad when you’re rooting for a disputed outcome.

I think this will be a clear win one way or the other. Either Randy is going to dominate en route to a 30-27 or a TKO, or Nogueira is going to pull out a great sub win. I don’t see it being the kind of fight determined by a final takedown in the last minute.

by Michael Rome on Aug 21, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This was supposed to be the final bracket of the UFC HW tourney.

Keep firing Assholes!

Romans, be it your duty to rule the nations with imperial sway … to impose the rule of peace, to spare the humbled and crush the proud.

by Ubernoober on Aug 21, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

Bravo Mike

My feelings exactly.

"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I love, I will love with everything"

by dedstrk316 on Aug 21, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

Rooting for Nogueira here but boy did he look shitty against Mir.

Here’s to hoping he really was just in that bad of shape.

by Brandon Starr on Aug 21, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

usually i hate when a fighter says this was injured or i wasnt at 100% but in nogs case against mir i really feel his injuries played a huge part in how that fight turned out

by brazary on Aug 21, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I think people nowadays put too much thought into title contentions and rankings and dont just sit back, relax and enjoy a fight that is surely to be entertaining. Sure both of these guys are at the tail ends of their careers but how can you look at a big nog vs. randy matup and not be excited, regardless of where this fight happens in their careers

by brazary on Aug 21, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

I actually expect this fight to end much like Couture’s fight against Overeem ended in RINGS.

by FlyByKnight on Aug 21, 2009 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

I’m actually more interested in the outcome of Jardine/Silva.

by steveoc24 on Aug 21, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

It's gonna be a great fight.

I don’t think Randy will have hit the wall, and I don’t think Nog is done either. I can’t wait!

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Aug 21, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Great article, i completly agree with you. Hopefully Big Nog can show up better then in the Mir fight, and make this fight a very entertainin one. If not, he probably is gonna retire after this fight

by ThaSandman on Aug 21, 2009 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

Well said.

They may not be in their prime but they are both still legends and would both still beat most heavyweights in the world.

www.mma-elite.com

by Brad Ackerson on Aug 21, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

i'm looking forward to this fight ...

always excited when Randy fights, and i have a ton of respect for Big Nog. should be a great fight.

by bobthewriter on Aug 21, 2009 11:51 PM EDT reply actions

i'll always support Big Nog

Great insight, I love the perspective of this story. I’ve always been a fan of Nog, but win or lose both fighters legacies won’t be tarnished in my opinion. You guys at Bloodyelbow are awesome! By far my favorite MMA site on the net. Thanks for all the hard work guys.

by Genghis Kon on Aug 22, 2009 1:09 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Are you the guy who makes those HL videos?

Keep firing Assholes!

Romans, be it your duty to rule the nations with imperial sway … to impose the rule of peace, to spare the humbled and crush the proud.

by Ubernoober on Aug 22, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I was wondering the same thing too. If you are the same person, your videos are amazing.

by Zack Gobie on Aug 22, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

This match-up is going to be a technical war standing, in the clinch, and on the ground. It will showcase two of mma’s best and we will find out who is technically better, despite that this match-up is being made later than we fans would have liked.

by phreakonature on Aug 22, 2009 5:18 AM EDT reply actions

I think Big Nog is going to lose. Couture is a better striker and will ground & pound Nog if it goes to the ground. Also, Randy will decide where this fight is fought.

by pwdminotauro on Aug 22, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

UFC's "no tomato can" policy

The thing with the UFC is the top fighters never get a break in the form of a tomato can every now and then. Fight 2 big fights in a row and then get a “gimmie” fight thrown in. Happens in boxing all the time. UFC demands that you fight top level fighters each fight and that’s gotta take a toll. But its the honorable way to run a promotion instead of padding records and protecting fighters as the boxing promoters sometimes do.

by Fooshnickens on Aug 22, 2009 10:23 AM EDT reply actions