Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

by Michael Rome on Dec 3, 2007 5:20 PM EST in News Comment 9 comments

MMA Weekly has an interview with Randy confirming the rumors:

In a meeting with Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White last Tuesday, current heavyweight champion Randy Couture turned down a proposed title defense against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81 on Feb. 2, 2008. There was also some fence mending to be done at the meeting. Following Couture's resignation from the UFC in October, the two went a couple of rounds through the media, disputing the basis of the resignation. With the meeting, Couture said he was able to air out the issues addressed in his decision and looks forward to a cooperative relationship with his employer of eleven years.

It looks like Nogueira/Sylvia will be for the title in February. This news is nothing short of devastating for the UFC, no matter how it is spun. The piece also suggests Couture won't be going anywhere to fight Fedor. This may be why Dana said on a recent radio show that he hopes he can still book Fedor and Randy to fight one day, as that looks like the only way to get Randy out of retirement at this point. Of course, it wouldn't shock me if in a year Randy feels the same desire to get back in there he felt before.

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Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

I feel it is kind of insulting to Nog that Couture feels that only Fedor is worth fighting.

It is too bad, Couture vs Nog would have been a very good fight. Nog vs Sylvia doesn't have that "anything could happen" factor as much as the Couture match-up.

Going to say Nog by "Classic Nog Comeback" in the 3rd round vs Sylvia by Frank Mir style armbar.

by DirtyML on Dec 3, 2007 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

Eh, you're looking at it the wrong way. Couture isn't suggesting they aren't worthy competitors. He's saying his athletic window is narrow, his accomplishments are unique, and he'd like to crack at the Alpha while he's still got a chance. So he beats Nog, what then? Everyone will still wonder about a fight with Fedor. And what if he losses? He tarnishes his career image. A loss to Fedor, on the other hand, wouldn't hurt Randy though it would help Fedor tremendously. In any case, I don't think Couture is suggesting any of the UFC's top heavyweights are anything to sneeze at.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 3, 2007 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

Well since his athletic window is narrowing he might as well fight Nog, instead of just waiting around 8 months or whatever to MAYBE fight Fedor. If he loses to Nog, who is one of the best heavyweights ever, then that may show he is not as great a heavyweight as everyone says, it would suck but thats part of the game. If he wins then I think that will put more pressure on Fedor to fight him and on Dana to make the fight happen.

by TitoG on Dec 3, 2007 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

Maybe, maybe not. What I'm concerned with is the idea that Couture's statement is in any way dismissive of every heavyweight not named Fedor. It may or may not be the right move, but if Couture ends up erring here he did so in honest error.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 4, 2007 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

I gotta be honest, I think we'll see Couture fight again. In a year, if Rampage has plowed through the competition and seems unbeatable on top, the money and hype will be too good to turn down. Maybe Randy doesn't want to do mid level draw fights, and any heavyweight he fights right now would be that kind of fight? On the upside, I think we could see a classic Nogueira victory and starmaking performance in Vegas. I greatly fear a boring 5 round decision, since Tim will never knock him out, but I suspect Nogueira will eventually tire him out, get him down, and submit him in the later rounds. Anyone who keeps the title off Tim at this point is going to be a hero.

by Michael Rome on Dec 3, 2007 9:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

I think Nog is the clear favorite here but we have to remember that Tim is still an impressive fighter and has found ways to win when the odds were stacked against him before (see Sylvia/Pitbull II).

I definitely agree we'll see Randy again. He came out of retirement and slayed the giant and was set for a showdown with the seemingly unstoppable Cro Cop who was then destroyed by Gonzaga. Couture had to prove that the Sylvia win was not a fluke and he did just that by dominating a much younger fighter.

The thing about Randy Couture is that he has to maintain a certain mystique about him to make fights feel more than a fight; he makes them spectacles. While I wish Randy would keep the gloves on and fight Nogueira that would also make him more of Randy Couture the defending UFC Champion and he needs to keep the mystique of Randy Couture the legend and icon.

He's proven that at his age he could come in and destroy the best heavyweights in the world. He's going to sit out and do his thing for a while. I think when his contract is up he'll see if there's any legal way to fight Fedor and if not a return against Rampage would be amazing.

I think we can all agree we haven't seen the last Randy Couture fight.

by dropkick101 on Dec 3, 2007 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

What is Nog going to do to Sylvia exactly? His takedowns are awful and his boxing is more than trumped by Big Tim's jab. I say watch the Ricco Rodriguez vs Big Tim match for a preview of Sylvia vs Big Nog.

by Kid Nate on Dec 4, 2007 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

Can Randy ever get out of his UFC contract without actually doing the remaining two fights? I am unclear on that aspect of his contract.

I think that the Nogueira / Couture fight would answer a lot of questions in some people"s minds but it still boils down to styles. We need to see Fedor and Randy fight to answer the most talked about match-up since Silva / Liddell. I think that the Nog / Couture fight would be almost as well received but maybe Randy is thinking one more fight and he wants it with Fedor.

Does he have a time limit out on his contract? If so...when can he sign with M-1 for 1 fight? I don't have any clue about what the legalities are for Randy in his contract with the UFC but perhaps others have seen / heard the wording of his agreement. Please post for me. Cheers.

I'll be back to add more in the next twenty-four...unless, by some mishap, someone K.O s FEDOR.

by prideUFCfan on Dec 4, 2007 1:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Couture Turns Down Nogueira Fight

The legalities of the time limit are unclear. It's a court battle neither side wants. I agree with what dropkick wrote about Randy's fights. They are just so dramatic and are such spectacles. Maybe having him fight often would make him just another regular guy. I look forward to the comeback one day. If Nog wins, and Chuck beats Silva, I'd kill to see the two of them fight for the title later in the year. It's time for Chuck to change divisions for a lot of reasons, but I guess I'll save that post for another day.

by Michael Rome on Dec 4, 2007 1:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs