UFC 105: Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera, Narcisist Blog prediction

Published on: 14th November, 2009

UFC 105: Randy Couture vs Brandon Vera, Narcisist Blog prediction  | read this item

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At UFC 105 Randy Couture begins his quest for his record setting 5th light heavyweight title in his story book career. But as the story goes in the Couture’scareer he will have another younger, hungry fighter standing across from him when the cage closes in Manchester, England tomorrow night. This time it will be Muay Thai specialist and top level striker Brandon Vera.

Will Couture’s legend have a happy ending or will this be the last chapter in the book?

We all know Randy Couture has been questioned since day one about his age since he first fought against the much younger Vitor Belfort at UFC 15 at the age of 32 years old. This time coming into his fight against Brandon Vera he will be riding a two fight losing streak in the heavyweight division and 46 years old.

Couture has also gone down this road before after losing back to back fights in the heavyweight division to Josh Barnett (UFC 36) and Ricco Rodriguez (UFC 39) at UFC 43 against Chuck Liddell for the interim light heavyweight title. Liddell was heavily favored coming into that fight and Couture beat him at his own game (striking). He followed up that win by dominating the current Light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz three months later. He out-wrestled Ortiz and literally spanked him and made him cry after 5 rounds to capture his 4th title in the UFC.

This time around Couture will have the usual doubters at the age of 46 and  hungry Brandon Vera standing across from him who will be ready with knees for the “Natural” every time he at temps to shoot if for a takedown. Vera will also have a big advantage striking and will know a win over Couture will put him a heart beat away from a shot at the light heavyweight title. Vera will know he is the villainin this story, but he will also be motivated by the chance at ending the last chapter in Couture’s book with a loss. But many have tried to write that last chapter only to become another victory in the “Legend” of Randy Couture.

Time for Brandon Vera to put up or shut up against the man who stole his glory

We have heard Brandon Vera since he has entered the UFC talk about winning the heavyweight and light heavyweight title, but up to this point he has not shown that he can beat the guys that he needs to defeat to get close to a title shot.

Brandon Vera had a title shot wrapped up coming into against Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 after going 4-0 in a weak heavyweight division. He was a star on the rise and seemed like he could become one of the UFC’s youngest champion, but a contract dispute sidelined him for over a year. Randy Couture stepped in took the title from Sylvia and perhaps Vera’s glory as well at UFC 68.

Vera came back a year later against Tim Sylvia at UFC 77, but with no title shot and lost to him after breaking his hand in the first round. Vera said the hand injury cause him to lose his gameplan and forced him to change his game. In the post fight interview Vera was asked if he was going to move down to the light heavyweight division, but pointed out he would only do so if he “Got his ass kicked.”

Vera went on to lose to Fabricio Werdumat UFC 77 after a fast referee stoppage in the first round, but was forced to move down to the 205 pound division. Vera went on to defeat Reese Andy at Fight Night 14, but did not look like he was comfortable with the weight loss. He followed up the bad performance by losing to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 in a close split decision.

After that fight Vera was demoted to the under-card portion of UFC 96 where he destroyed Michael Pratt with leg kicks and looked like he had finally gotten used to the weight cut. Vera then extended his win streak to two consecutive fights at UFC 102 after picking apart Krzysztof Soszynski for three rounds.

Vera will have to make it three straight wins against Randy Couture if he wants to get close to his goal of capturing the light heavyweight title. This time around he will have no excuses and if he breaks his hand he will need to find a way to work through it and win. Every fighter goes through adversity, but ”True” champions know how to work through all adversity and find a way to win no matter how much is stacked against them.

Why Couture will win

Couture will use his wrestling and completely negate Brandon Vera’s striking ability, he will keep him on his back and pound him until he wins or takes a decision victory.

Why Vera will win

Brandon Vera has a big advantage over Couture where he likes to strike in the clinch where he can punish “The Natural” with knees up close and kicks when he attempts to back up.

Prediction

I like Vera, but Couture has shown in his losses to Antonio Minotauro Nogueira and Brock Lesnar that he is still a big threat. The problem is that Couture’s track record has always shown that he has a problem dealing withlarger heavyweight fighters. Unless Brandon Vera gains 30 to 40 pounds over night he will be put on his back and hit with knees and elbows.

Randy Couture by TKO referee stoppage, Round 3

 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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