Randy Couture wants the first shot at Fedor Emelianenko in the UFC, also wants a rematch with Brock Lesnar

Published on: 16th July, 2009

Randy Couture wants the first shot at Fedor Emelianenko in the UFC, also wants a rematch with Brock Lesnar  | read this item

When Randy Couture agreed to return to the Octagon for UFC 91 against Brock Lesnar for the Heavyweight title, there was a good faith stipulation that the UFC would make their best attempt to sign Fedor Emelianenko. As we all know the reason Couture was out of action for a year was because he wanted to test himself against the former Pride Heavyweight champion.

Now in a new interview with ESPN 1100 Radio, Couture stated that he feels he should get first crack at Fedor if he decides to sign with the UFC.

Will Fedor get a stadium from the UFC?

“Not only do I think I deserve a shot at him, it was kind of part of the agreement in settling our differences in coming back to the UFC, is they were going to be diligent about trying to find a way to make that fight happen.

I’m a patient guy and ultimatly all I want to do is just fight, I’m certainly not going to hold my breath for Fedor or anyone else. I’m a fairly rational guy and realize I’m not going to be able to compete at this level forever. If it happens, it happens”

Couture also was asked if he felt Brock Lesnar posed a credible threat to Fedor Emelianenko in a fight, he said he feels with the Heavyweight champion’s size he poses a credible threat to any fighter in MMA today.

“With his physicality and athletic ability, it’s just a rare thing to find a guy that size who moves the way he moves. The wrestling base is hard for a lot of guys to deal with. He’s gonna be an issue for anybody and he’s continually getting better technically and finding better ways to take advantage of that size.”

Couture was then asked if he gets past Antonio Minotauro Nogueira if he would like another shot at Brock Lesnar to avenge is loss at UFC 91.

“I would absolutely like another shot at Brock, I think the first fight was going my way I felt like I had things moving and was doing the things I was trained to do. I didn’t anticipate him being as long as he is, he looks so big and thick you don’t think you don’t really think about him being as long.”

Couture was also asked with Lesnar’s size and strength what it would take to beat the Heavyweight champion at this point.

“I think you have to neutralize his ability to wrestle and establish that solid top position, cause he is going to be hard for anyone to be underneath. If you have the foot work and the movement you deal with him on his feet. He’s still not a terribly fluid striker accurate striker, but he’s still a great big guy and you don’t want to get hit by him. ”

We all know Randy Couture has waited longer then any fighter in the UFC for Fedor to sign. If he does sign, I think the UFC should honor his request because it is a no lose situation win or lose. The winner would fight Lesnar and still do big pay-per-view numbers, perhaps as big as UFC 100′s 1.5 Million buys.

We don’t know if Fedor will ever come to the UFC, but if he defeats Josh Barnett at Affliction “Trilogy” he looks like he is running out of serious options when it comes to potential opponents who pose a credible threat. As Couture said “I won’t be holding my breath” for this fight to happen any time soon.

 Alberto Martinez "The Narcisist" is the founding owner of URDirt.com. If you would like to post on the front page or in our New "Fan Jab" section all you need to do is register. Read more from this author

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