With his thrilling destruction of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 70: “Nations Collide,” Gabriel Gonzaga is set to face Randy Couture for the heavyweight title.
According to MMAWeekly.com, that bout is tentatively scheduled for UFC 74 on August 25.
It’s an intriguing match up between a fighter who just shocked the world and another fighter who has carved a legacy as a successful underdog.
And one that is unlikely, especially if we rewind to Friday, March 2 — the day before “The Natural” chopped down Tim Sylvia at UFC 68.
Did anyone predict — even think about for that matter — a championship showdown between Couture and Gonzaga less than two months later?
Sheer craziness; but, apparently, something we’re going to see a lot of with the unpredictable nature of the sport.
These last few months, however, have to be the exception and not the rule … right?
Regardless, Couture and Gonzaga should be a solid fight — albeit a harder bout to market without Cro Cop.
Prior to UFC 70, Couture predicted that Gonzaga would beat the Croatian (certainly not by head kick, of course).
It could have been wishful thinking or legitimate analysis. Or, perhaps, a mix of both.
During the post-fight wrap up, Couture mentioned that Cro Cop would be a better match for him style-wise than Gonzaga.
In fact, here’s a snip from the Canadian Press:
“I traditionally do better against guys who are strikers, guys like Chuck (Liddell) and Tim (Sylvia) whose weaknesses tend to be more on the ground. That’s an area where I’m strongest, so I can usually comfortably put a guy there. Mirko’s also one of this guys. I was confident if I came after him I could put him on the ground. You take a guy like Gonzaga down and you’re still not out of the woods. He’s an expert in submission. He’s a very, very skilled grappler so you’ve got to be sharp all around.”
Does anyone dare to offer up some predictions for this fight, which is really — when you think about it — between two classic underdogs?
Good luck — I’m done trying to figure out these fights … at least for the near future.
117 Comments »
Well we got a date. Although Gonzaga pulled off the impossible and congrats to him on that. I’m with Captain America on this one. No predictions on how it will happen yet for me.
74 is gonna be tight with this fight and the gsp koscheck fight, i can’t wait to hear who the desert dog picks in these fights
“Regardless, Couture and Gonzaga should be a solid fight — albeit a harder bout to market without Cro Cop.”
The above statement is true and unfortunate. I, for one, am really looking forward to this matchup. I don’t know that I’d go so far as to predict an outcome, though. If I did, I may have to go with Randy, just for his experience and ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. But wait…isn’t that what Gonzaga just finished proving he could do? Like I said, it should be a great fight.
Couture already said this would be a better fight. I would like to know where the odds will end up on this fight since Couture is much older.
Saying all of that I gotta go with Couture.
i’ll be taking gonzaga, he’ll be able to use his size advantage more than sylvia was, couture will make it a good fight for sure though…
After listening to both Randy and Gonzaga talk after the GG-CC fight, it’s obvious they have a lot of mutual respect. I think each realizes that the other poses some very real challenges in style, intelligence and craftiness (?). No obvious, glaring holes in either fighter’s game either.
Couture wins with a spinning back kick to the head. Well, why not? Crazier things are happening now.
This will be one hell of a fight. Randy most likely could have controlled the ground game against Mirko. He’s going to have his hands full with Gonzaga who destroyed CC on the ground.
In the End… Couture is just too smart… and where UFC is at the moment.. u NEED to be smart more then anything. even tho GSP is an amazing fighter(my favourite) i dont think he went into that fight ready to fight .. he was a little more laid back and thus left an opening for an Upset.
Coutures been in the business too long. and i can Guarantee a win for Couture.
This is definitely a fight that could go either way both are good on the ground and can strike well. Even though age advantage goes to Gonzaga I still feel like The natural will pull it out somehow. He will find a way I think, personally I would like to see Cro Cop in with the Pit Bull now even though Mirko loss I think it would still be a fight that maybe out there would want to see.
Im hopin randy wins. I would like to see him fight arlovski. Even though AA’s last few fights weren’t to amazing Randy would try and push the pace which would lead to an amazing fight
[quote comment=”41500″]This will be one hell of a fight. Randy most likely could have controlled the ground game against Mirko. He’s going to have his hands full with Gonzaga who destroyed CC on the ground.[/quote]
You hit it on the head, and Randy said as much in the post fight wrap. However, I too think Randy’s experience will carry him thru. Gonna be a fun HW division for a while!
gonzaga might win this randy has had trouble with submission fighters before
I really hope randy wins, but I’m sure as hell not counting on it, I’ve been disappointed too much already this year. I hope the fight goes to a decision and there isn’t a quick first round tko or submission, so we can really see what each guy is made of.
I really want Couture to defend and win this one. Top off his hall of fame carreer with major style! I think he has it… I am much more eagar to see this fight than Cro Cop vs. Couture I would rather see Cro Cop work through some top guys and get his title down the road.
[quote comment=”41520″]I really want Couture to defend and win this one. Top off his hall of fame carreer with major style! I think he has it… I am much more eagar to see this fight than Cro Cop vs. Couture I would rather see Cro Cop work through some top guys and get his title down the road.[/quote]
And there’s quite a list of potential opponents for anyone in the HW division these days. Any rumors or rumblings about when Nog might make his UFC debut?
The ageless wonder will do it again!!! Go Randy
I still hope Nog gets vera in first fight
[quote post=”1912″]Any rumors or rumblings about when Nog might make his UFC debut? [/quote]
If you want to check this out, http://mmamania.com/2007/04/16/rumor-big-nog-to-make-ufc-debut-against-brandon-vera/
It basically says that the rumour mill is saying that Nog’s first fight could be against Brandon Vera.
I love Captain America, I want him to win. But then i got this little voice way, wayyy back in my head that says… GONZAGA.. and that scares me. My pick is not what i want to see but im goin to go wit gonzaga. dont kno how he will do it though.
I dont even want to try to begin to predict this match. I know its going to be a really really good fight, actually the whole card looks like its going to be worth looking foward to, and definitely worth watching.
As for who will win… there is just too many intangiables, Gonzaga has his size, his sick submission skills and his youth, Couture has the mass amount of experiance, his completely unpredictable nature of what hes going to do in a fight (ex: spanking Tito, really who saw that one coming?!?!) and his intellgence. A lot of people blow of weight advantage as not really mattering but once you go to the ground it has a huge impact and I am sure at some point in this fight it will go to the ground… wait Couture beats up on Timmy for 5 rounds standing up most of it and Gonzaga kicks Cro Cops head off… maybe they will have a stand-up war!!
wHO ELSE IS SCHEDULED FOR THIS CARD?
Couture vs Gonzaga (title fight)
Sherk vs Franca (title fight)
St. Pierre vs Koscheck
that is all that has been rumoured out so far for it, but even with those 3, who really cares what else is on the card? :p
In order for Randy to win,i think he’s gonna have to stand and strike with him.If it goes to the ground i think Randy will be in big trouble.I think Randy can take Gonzaga down easy enough but its taking a huge chance.Randy only has a couple of wins by submission in his career,my thats the answer.I doubt Gonzaga will be expecting that.I know Couture will be ready to fight.
Everyone should go into their UFC archives and re watch Couture v. Barnett and Couture v. Rodriguez to see how this fight might play out.
I hope Randy pulls it out though but Gonzaga will be a tough match up
I love Randy but my money is on Gonzaga.
I thought Sherk and Franca were for UFC 73? And does anyone know when Big Nog is scheduled to fight first?
I have a prediction for UFC 74: I will be asleep because who wants to watch a retired old fart fight a retarded brazilian. They should have a who is on more steroids bout. Randy Couture who is 43 and has a body of a 21 year old or Gonzaga
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=7306 click on this link and see Gonzaga’s natural size…. he should be disqualified from the Cro Cop fight due to massive amounts of steriod intake
So do you think they are not p testing him…is the nsac corrupted by Dana and his war machine? I somehow doubt it…
I dont disrespect couture as a fighter…i think hes awesome but i dont thinks hes walking away from this fight with the belt again?? Anyone agree?? He got thru timmie boy cuz hes like hes in slow-mo, gonzaga on the other hand is very fast for a heavyweigh.
sherk and franca has apprently been pushed to UFC 74 with couture vs gonzaga, GSP vs KOS, these r rumors so dont completely quote me!!!
Couture is definately not on Juice
and he will win another UD against GG
does anybody know where timmy fits in .if all the big boys are tied up in fights or suspentions
vera vs nog
couture vs gonzaga
arlovski vs winner
cro cop got to be medical suspention for 6 months after that head kick
fight night 10
sylvia vs wedrum my only guess
Sylvia should just go back to the circus where he belongs. he’s clearly ouclassed in the heavyweight division now.
Kongo vs Sylvia would be interesting but timing wise he’ll likely face someone like Heath Herring who will be clear to fight by UFC 73/74.
“Spida” wondered what my picks for Couture/Gonzaga and GSP/Koscheck will be….Hell I’m going to need a full month to decide on Lidell/Jackson first.
It sure feels like the old guard are being picked off in the most unexpected ways. Rampage wins by GogopPlata?
I see Couture wining by submission or gonzaga by ground & pound
[quote post=”1912″]Rampage wins by GogopPlata?[/quote]
LOL. That would be some funny stuff. As far as Couture and Gonzaga goes, im going with experience in Couture. Randy has from now till the end off August to come up with a plan to pick Gonzaga apart, Even with a great showing against Cro Cop, in his other fights with Scherner and others Gonzaga has shown that he has holes in his game. Hopefully Randy will be able to expliot that.
Well randy doesnt seem all that concerned for gonzaga…it can honestly go either way for me…as long as at no point in time does timmie boy get the belt back….that would seriously be pathetic. I can honestly care less to see him ever again unless hes a usefull stepping stone for someone else!!!
Yeah randy will prevail. RC will decipher GG’s game before the two fighters even get into the ring. RC will read GG’s play in 2 sec’s take him GNP him, possibly even stand up with GG. Randy’s ability to adapt to a fighter is beyond human..i mean RC has lost. but RC knows how to win and put on a show…Going to be one hella’ fight!
..See ya..
So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?
[quote comment=”42162″]So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?[/quote]
After he defeats CC…GG and RC first..so maybe next year!….
want to see is the rematch between CC & GG
what about a rematch between CC & GG? I know that CC will come back strong
[quote post=”1912″]So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?[/quote]
Im probably one of the biggest Arlovski fans, but even im not sure he is ready for couture. It would be a tough night for the Pitbull. but anytime Randy is in a fight its a tough night for anyone.
What about rankings are they coming out any time soon?? Or we are gonna see them next month??
Gonzaga is a beast
[quote comment=”42204″][quote post=”1912″]So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?[/quote]
Im probably one of the biggest Arlovski fans, but even im not sure he is ready for couture. It would be a tough night for the Pitbull. but anytime Randy is in a fight its a tough night for anyone.[/quote]
Looking at the way the iceman finished couture into retirement i dont think the pitbull would have any problems getting a combo in randys face and retiring him again, unless GG does it first, but id like to see him beat GG.
I think RC will definetly beat GG. I’m not big on GG at all. Randy is very Smart and fights very intelligently. I’m looking forward to seeing Randy pick GG apart. Also, I think Tim Silva is a douche bag and I don’t know how he was ever the HW Champ. I hate that guy. One question I would like to throw out there is if/and when Fedor Emelianko comes to the UFC do you think he will plow threw the HW’s like he has done in Pride? I believe he will. He is the best HW in the world….Hands Down….
Gonzaga 2 rd via peel then GnP.
This fight has the potential to be a boring fight to watch. I only say this because very few people are excited to see the chess game that is grappling. IE hughes vs lytle was actually pretty good fight because lytle tied matt up pretty good and didn’t let him get his hands free for the ground and pound, but it wasn’t exciting to watch. Could be a repeat with 2 more good ground fighters.
First round, they size each other up, Couture shoots for a takedown but gets punched in the face, falls down grabs a leg on the way down. Gonzaga drops on top of him andn pushes him into side control, then mount, he will then finish the fight in the first two minutes of the fist round droping punches on Randy in full mount.
Flip a coin…
Heads Randy
Tails GG
If it lands on its edge Double KO.
(Both shoot for legs and Hit heads)
That would be a first…
Wouldnt it?
Randy will pull this one out just like CroCop did ;]
I would have to say if there hadnt been all these upsets recently then I would straight away go with GG on this one,but then again without the upsets this fight would never even be happening so whats to say that this isnt gonna be another upset.
Its hard to see where RC has the advantage here,GG is stronger bigger faster and hits harder,but I think RC has one huge weapon and thats his brain,he is like the old wise master of MMA and im sure he is gonna work hard on some evil plan to crush Gonzaga and I hope he does,but its impossible to say whats gonna happen in this one,all I know is that im gonna be backin Randy all the way.
after AA previous fights i dont think that hes really ready for couture or GG. both of them are excellent grapplers and there size makes them a lot to deal with. i really like couture but i just dont think hes going to beat GG. GG is a big bjj fighter and he is a lot to deal with when your talking about ground fighting. i know sylvia is bigger but he has next to no threat for randy on the ground. however i can see this being an excellant fight. gg appears to also have the superior striking skills over randy. this gives gonzaga the choice to win with stand up or by submission. either way this should be a hell of a fight.
its shaping up 2 be a good card
I was extremely surprised by GG’s striking. As we all know Couture doesn’t have the strongest chin. I’m going with GG by TKO.
RC by ref stoppage in the 3rd due to strikes…..RC doesn’t upset fighters..RC beats them with pure technical GNP, strategic stand-up, and a great stand-up clinch….RC gets in their heads so passively, that they start to cry on the in-side and breakdown..i’m not surprised with this ol’ man anymore….GG has so much to do in this little time..but who knows..maybe GG has been secretly……mentally preparing him-self for this bout(i don’t know though)..GG earned his shot, so all the best to him!…I’m still for RC
..See ya..
I know Randy Couture will attract alot of fans especially from the AARP. This should be a great fight if you like boring fights.
[quote comment=”42594″]I know Randy Couture will attract alot of fans especially from the AARP. This should be a great fight if you like boring fights.[/quote]
What dose AARP stand for?
“So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?”
The pitbull has become the pit-poodle. AA no longer has the mental toughness to stand in the pocket. He is throwing puches from out of range and he never attempts any take-downs.
AA is fighting scared - and he knows it.
I’m gonna guess and say the Randy/Gonzaga will end up like Fat Rico “Swave” Rodriguez/Randy I where Randy was winning until he ran out of steam. Who would wanna see that? I don’t. but it’s a prediction. Hope I’m wrong….
And I want the old AA back god damn it!
[quote comment=”42778″]”So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?”
The pitbull has become the pit-poodle. AA no longer has the mental toughness to stand in the pocket. He is throwing puches from out of range and he never attempts any take-downs.
AA is fighting scared - and he knows it.[/quote]
not true. werdum was the one fighting scared not aa. back when mike tyson was the hw boxing champ he admitted that he used to make what he called silent agreements with other fighters. he would land a few punches and the other guy would clinch. this would happen repeatedly, telling tyson that he would give him an easy decision if tyson didnt try to knock him out. tyson would oblige by letting his opponent clinch frequently. this wasn’t spoken verbally but conveyed by body language. werdum by backing up the whole fight let andre know with his body language that he would not try and win the fight as long as andrei didnt try to knock him out. i dont this scenario would happen with randy, gg, or cc. they would all bring it to aa.
go randy
[quote comment=”42900″][quote comment=”42778″]”So when’s Arlovski fighting Couture?”
The pitbull has become the pit-poodle. AA no longer has the mental toughness to stand in the pocket. He is throwing puches from out of range and he never attempts any take-downs.
AA is fighting scared - and he knows it.[/quote]
not true. werdum was the one fighting scared not aa. back when mike tyson was the hw boxing champ he admitted that he used to make what he called silent agreements with other fighters. he would land a few punches and the other guy would clinch. this would happen repeatedly, telling tyson that he would give him an easy decision if tyson didnt try to knock him out. tyson would oblige by letting his opponent clinch frequently. this wasn’t spoken verbally but conveyed by body language. werdum by backing up the whole fight let andre know with his body language that he would not try and win the fight as long as andrei didnt try to knock him out. i dont this scenario would happen with randy, gg, or cc. they would all bring it to aa.[/quote]
Thats believable…but no say in if thats true..i guess it would make sense….i mean FW did run the whole time and AA did what any real fighter would do…consider the time randy put all four on the ground when Tim was about to knee him…..it’s all about strategy….
..See ya..
I love Captain America, but after watching Gonzaga take apart Cro Cop, I think that he will bring too much for Randy with the title belt on the line. I hope Randy can make it a better fight than Cro Cop did.
It’s all irrelevant- the 4 people who could create the super fights are Randy, Chuck, Cro Cop and FEDOR! Get Fedor in, tell Chuck not to bother dieting and tell the other hw’s to wait while these guys do their thing!
Randy will take it unless he gets hurt in the standup or gasses. No way Gonzaga will outgrapple him. Randy is the man. It will be a great show. Randy wins.
[quote comment=”43245″]Randy will take it unless he gets hurt in the standup or gasses. No way Gonzaga will outgrapple him. Randy is the man. It will be a great show. Randy wins.[/quote]
Randy will find a way no matter what. This is the smartest fighter in MMA. Not argueable! He just is
First of all Id like to say I love RC he s a great champ. But I dont know how all of you can say he s a smarter fighter. GG stradegy was perfect. He took cc out of his game and beat him with his own weapon.GG is no joke he s a skilled and very smart fighter. Finishing 3 out of his last 4 very easily. And his first fight in the UFC he had a lot of family issues. Dont want to say what round but I Predict GG taking him to the ground either gnp or submission.
And one more thing about this last comment how rc will out grapple gg. What drugs are you on GG is in the top 3 of best ju jitsu guys in the world. so good luck on that perdiction on RC out grappling GG
I don’t care what he has won in JJ, this is MMA grappling is a little different. Randy has never been bested in his carreer besides Liddell, who is curtain cut to beat Randy. NO one can hang with Randy grappling. No body. Even the big heavyweights they refer to when they say Randy didnt do well in his history with HW. Randy beat them in the early rounds, even Josh Barnett couldnt hang with a fresh Randy very well. It took Randy gassing (which is the only way Gonzaga will win) for Barnett to start dominating. But Randy has never been out grappled.
RC can hang with some of the best in BJJ…check it out..even after his retirement he continued to grapple with the best, placing a draw with a fighter…find it and check it…like dude said “it’s not arguable” it’s MMA…….so have fun boys..smile and wave boys, smile and wave!~
..See ya..
I HOPE RANDY OPENS UP A CAN OF WHOOP ASS ON GONZITO GONZAGA, BUT IF GONZAGA DOES WIN I HOPE MIRKO GETS A REMATCH AND GETS REVENGE AND KICKS HIM ON HIS NOSE AND TKO’S THAT BIG TEST TUBE BABY
U tell emm “that dude” hehe
lmao…that’s right “that dude”………
Randy Couture will keep on winning for ever, all the other fighters cant match his abilities, only chuck, and even he’s due for a loss. Too many Bourbon and Xyience shooters chucky.
Gonzaga’s a beast, but Randy is tactically outstanding. He always surprises with how he goes into fights. Can’t wait to see what approach he takes for Gonzaga. I’m sure he’ll find a weakness to exploit some how.
[quote comment=”42479″]its shaping up 2 be a good card[/quote]
And this is what it’s all about. Boring fight, Matt? For the “I only want to see knock outs” crowd, maybe. This should be a very tactical, exciting fight to watch. And there will definitely be some standup in this fight. Can’t wait to see it!
I think i might move up to heavyweight to fight randy again that deal is being neg.look for this annoucement soon
[quote comment=”41733″]sherk and franca has apprently been pushed to UFC 74 with couture vs gonzaga, GSP vs KOS, these r rumors so dont completely quote me!!![/quote]
I would rather see GSP dismantle Diego since they are both coming from a loss and will be very hungry to win again.
There would be “Fireworks” in the ring.
I still think out of 10 fights between RC and Chuck, that RC would win at least half of those fights. If you look back at the 2 out of 3 losses with Chuck, Randy slipped on the mat just before he got tagged, which makes a big difference for the opposition to setup and throw a big punch especially coming from Chuck and especially considering Randy was going through a lot of Mental battles during that time.
first of all i would like to say, “jackson has no chance against liddell”
i am almost offended that we have to watch this fight.
what does jackson have that couture doesnt?
i’ll save you some time ….nothing.
until they bring some new fighters in the LHW category liddel is staying where he is.
why do you spose randy went up a weight class to be champ?
the heavyweight class is starting to really expand…..which is a tough break for randy….cus i, like most folks…love couture.
liddel says he will knock jackson out in the first round….well chuck dont lie.
randy is the best all time thus far/and matt hughes….and liddel soon to be as well.
hughes will get his belt back liddel is where he is for a long time(unless someone gets lucky but they wont get lucky twice.
and hughes will get his belt back.
randy …well…..randy can always win….he is the greatest….but he also has the toughest crop of fighters to face right now.
arlovski should be ready to knock out anyone who beats randy once that happens.
I have a prediction for UFC 74: I will be asleep because who wants to watch a retired old fart fight a retarded brazilian. They should have a who is on more steroids bout. Randy Couture who is 43 and has a body of a 21 year old or Gonzaga
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=7306 click on this link and see Gonzaga’s natural size…. he should be disqualified from the Cro Cop fight due to massive amounts of steriod intake
Somebody has been taking some massive amounts of drugs allright. Lay off the drugs buddy, its affecting your mind. If Randy (The Natural) juiced he would Be 250 lbs. After all Randy has done to legitimise the sport he would get caught taking steroids, Ya right, pull your head out of your ass. People fluctuate 40 or 50 lbs all the time without the juice so why can’t GG. GG beat your hero CC with skill ,get over it!
I don’t care what he has won in JJ, this is MMA grappling is a little different. Randy has never been bested in his carreer besides Liddell, who is curtain cut to beat Randy. NO one can hang with Randy grappling. No body. Even the big heavyweights they refer to when they say Randy didnt do well in his history with HW. Randy beat them in the early rounds, even Josh Barnett couldnt hang with a fresh Randy very well. It took Randy gassing (which is the only way Gonzaga will win) for Barnett to start dominating. But Randy has never been out grappled.
Not to mention a juiced Barnett. And for those who haven’t juiced it give you a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge advantage. Not only in strength but mentally as well (feeling invincable and more aggressive).
I know Randy Couture will attract alot of fans especially from the AARP. This should be a great fight if you like boring fights.
I don’t get it , when has Randy had a boring fight? Randy always brings it.
First round, they size each other up, Couture shoots for a takedown but gets punched in the face, falls down grabs a leg on the way down. Gonzaga drops on top of him andn pushes him into side control, then mount, he will then finish the fight in the first two minutes of the fist round droping punches on Randy in full mount.
Randy doesn’t shoot for a takedown (with that free style shit that doesn’t seem to work on todays fighters with a good sprall). He dumps guys on their head from the clinch with greco roman wrestling.