My point was that the guy was 2-1 going for a belt… I’m sure they could have found Brock at least one more fight but no let’s get that money now….my comment has nothing to do with the roster and it’s depth and i’m sure there were more than 4 HW’s runnning around those days…Randy didn’t even get a warm up fight to knock the rust off…because IT’S A BUSINESS and they wanted that match… just liek they want Coutore to headline another championship PPV match to GET AS MUCH $$ AS THEY CAN BEFORE HE RETIRES!

Another situation is if Lyoto loses Anderson should get the chance to fight for titles in two weight divisions. When he has spoken in the past of the 205 lb divsion it was always reserved for Lyoto. If Lyoto is not in the picture you would have to believe that Anderson would take the fight(especially if Shogun beats down Lyoto). As for Anderson being deserving I feel all you need to do is look at his fight with Forrest. Griffin was the #2 or 3 LHW in the world at the time of their fight. While some would argue that is was a favorable style matchup for Anderson in the fight, I would have to agree. I tend to think that any fight in the world right now would be a favorable style matchup for Anderson. He’s too good.

Anderson would simply destroy any of those guys, save for maybe a few surprises from Bones. But he’s not fighting Lyoto so if Rua wins, let’s go to the dream matchup of Silva vs. Rua. Otherwise, giving Randy a chance, ok sure. If it’s Randy vs. Lyoto, it’s Lyoto’s sumo defense against Randy’s clinch-heavy style. I’d predict TKO by head kick by Machida after knockdowns of Randy at will, but whatever. Gotta love Couture’s heart and inspiration to us old guys.

Also, Randy has not fought anyone who is close to a top contender. He barely survived Vera, who is middle-of-the-road (could be great if he’d pull his head out). It was mentioned that Rashad’s win over Silva was less than impressive: Couture’s over Vera was unimpressive (and Vera is a notch or two below Silva, ranking wise).

Cory, I expect this kind of propaganda from the UFC’s skewed publishing department: not from 5 oz’s!!! Say it isn’t so!!!

Rece Rock: DW & UFC owe Randy a undeserved title shot any way beingthat he gave a undeserved title shot to Brock Lesner when he was what 2-1… one hand washes the other, keep telling everybody this is a business as well as a sport.  

They gave Lesner an “undeserved” title shot in a completely anemic division when beating 2 people in a row was considered cleaning out half of the weight class. Randy hasn’t cleaned out near half the weight class and is fighting in one of the more stacked divisions in all of MMA. The comparison doesn’t hold up.

“Evans showed nothing in his previous bout with Thiago Silva that made me believe the outcome in a rematch with Lyoto Machida would be any different.”

Lets’s get this out of the way now. I think a Rashad win against Rampage in their next fight should make him the #1 contender in the division if Lyoto wins. His victory over Silva while not dominant was a clear unanimous decision. The same can not be said for Randy’s win over Vera. Thiago was also a top 10 opponent at the time as high as 7 on a few rankings at the time. A win in any measure against rampage would be a W against a top 5 or top 3(depending on the website)opponent. If rashad wins against Rampage he would have back to back wins against top 10 opponents. This situation with the division how it is should more than make him worthy of the title shot. Lil Nog vs. Forrest is a great match up but dont lie to kid you self in to thinking it holds more relevance in the 205 lb division. Griffin #5 vs. Lil Nog #7 or #8 up against Rashad #3 or #4 vs. Rampage #3 or #4. The rankings tell the case of who should be the next contender to the title out of that argument.

Another situation is if Lyoto loses Anderson should get the chance to fight for titles in two weight divisions. When he has spoken in the past of the 205 lb divsion it was always reserved for Lyoto. If Lyoto is not in the picture you would have to believe that Anderson would take the fight(especially if Shogun beats down Lyoto). As for Anderson being deserving I feel all you need to do is look at his fight with Forrest. Griffin was the #2 or 3 LHW in the world at the time of their fight. While some would argue that is was a favorable style matchup for Anderson in the fight, I would have to agree. I tend to think that any fight in the world right now would be a favorable style matchup for Anderson. He’s too good.

“Perhaps the one decisive difference between Randy and the previously mentioned challengers to the light heavyweight championship in the UFC that stands out the most is that all of those other guys will have other opportunities to get a crack at the belt at some point. Most likely all of them will if they keep winning. But honestly, at a soon to be forty-seven years young, how much longer should we have this living legend prove that he’s worthy to challenge for the title one last time? Should we wait until he suffers a defeat and expect for him to work his way back up? That’s not going to happen. The time is now.”

You sound like nothing more than a fan here brother. The title is going to be fought for in about a month or two. There is really no reason for it to be challenged for again for another 6 after that. There is no immediate need for a title shot. Just because his name is Randy does not mean he is all deserving. You also said earlier that he has just gone through two “worthy” opponents. Either you didnt watch the fight against Coleman or you know in the back of your head that last statement is a lie because Coleman is less than a shell of his former self. One more win against Thiago or maybe Anderson Silva in a superfight would make him validated for a title shot. As of this moment Randy Couture should not be considered for a shot at the title. His name and starpower will be the reasons he gets the shot which is kind of sad.

In saying all that Randy is a mastermind. No matter if he deserves it or not if he can avoid exchanging with Lyoto or Shogun those become two fights he can win. Neither have a Greco back ground which must be what has Randy salivating at the mouth for those fights.

Lastly while I don’t fell he is deserving I will still be rooting for Randy. I will always root for Randy.

War Captain America

Haven’t read any of the other comments yet, but have to say how much I appreciate how well you stated your case. So many articles these days are either blatant fan partisanship or illogical unreasoned arguments. You presented your feelings as to Randy’s deserving a title shot, and while I disagree with your conclusions, its a pleasure to consider your position.

Couture’s victory over Vera was earned and valid, if somewhat less than overwhelming. The win over a fellow hall of famer and former champion is also indicative of a fighter who is still relevant and a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight division, but to receive a title shot stricly on fighting merit and not strength of name recognition, it seems to me like Couture needs a decisive victory over a current top competitor like Rampage, Evans, Jones, or Thiago Silva. Personally I think Machida or Rua would be a very tough challenge for Randy, but with one more solid win, then I think Randy would be a deserving title contender, strictly on fighting merit.

LiverPunch: I should read trough what I have said before I post.
Before I go here are some other facts about Randy. In the last 10 years he has a record of 11 and 8 with 5 or 6 title shots!. Machida has had to get 1 more than Couture has ever had to get his first. Couture has lost 6 title fights in the last 10 years. Of Coutures 5 non title victories 3 were over Tony Halme, Arsdale and Coleman. Couture has been awarded 2 title shots without having any victories in that division for over five years or ever and after coming off losses.
This is absurd full stop. Randy although a legend is not worthy of a title shot until (for once) he earns it.  

Uh, before you start tossing around words like absurd, maybe you should check your facts. Sure he lost 6 title fights in the last ten years, but then he won 8 of them. Or don’t you count title defenses?

Just the fact that he has fought in 14 title matches EVER would make him not only a legend, but someone who deserves some serious respect.

He isn’t the number one, but how can you not put him in the top ten? Dudes only won 5 belts.

Couture is an incredibly adaptive fighter. He fought man-beast Lesnar and only weighed 225 pounds. How many other light heavyweights could step in the ring with a wrestler who out-weighed them by 60-70 pounds? A few, but not many.

If Couture gets a title shot, no matter who he fights, you know he’ll have a good game plan. Sure, he’s slow enough to get knocked out, but if he doesn’t, I could see him taking a decision.

No it hasn’t Randy couture has not faced any of the 205 top talent. If that makes him a “clear” no.1 challenger i give up. i cannot beleive you are trying to create a scenario where he is. 2 losses and then 2 wins fighters means that you are ready to take on a tougher opponent and not the title holder. You act as if well it is him or bla bla bla. how about having Randy take on 1 of about 10 top. If we go by your reasoning. i don’t think Randy is a top talent now and was hardly 5 years ago. He came into the UFC LHW division when it was very thin with only 3 other LHWs of note. And still only went 3-3 against those guys with another victory over Mike Van Arsdale to bring it to 4-3. Now he comes off 2 losses at HW, beats Vera in a lackluster affair where many thought Vera won and then beats Coleman in a fight in which Coleman, a wrestler attempted no wrestling and stood there with his chin in the air.
If you are trying to say that he deserves it, which you are and have, you Cory Brady are dellusional. Randy Couture has fought times 22 in the UFC and has only ever fought 3 times when a belt was not at stake. That is f#cking stupid, considering he has lost 10 times during that period.
Not only is your argument flawed but you try and validate it by saying that other title shots were not earned either so why not his one.

” that many have trouble accepting the forty-six year old legend of the game as a legitimate challenger to the throne. But let me tell you, that’s exactly what he is”

So he doesn’t need to face any other top 205 guys for you to conclude this. Wow you are psychic. Tell me who would win between Bruce Lee and Mike Tyson.

How about instead of saying it is randy or A,B or C, you use common sense and say Randy is now in the mix and should be fighting for a shot and not he deserves one having come off loss, loss, split dec victory and win over an opponent that was little short of a joke. I find it hard to beleive that you try and rationalize that Randy deserves a shot, he doesn’t and you know it, using excuses that he should get it because he doesn’t have much time and that others did not look good. Out of Randy’s 9, that’s right 9 title shots he has earned them with 5 non title victories in the UFC. I am not sure but a ratio of nearly 2 title shots per non title shot victory is a little unusual is it not? just to give you some perspective Frank Mir would have had about 22 title shots by now at the same ratio.
Truth is he is not worthy but you want it to happen.

Rampage has said he has 3 – 4 fights on his contract and that he is walking away after that……So why would Dana in his right mind give Rampage a shot?

He would be better off giving Rampage fights against guys like Tito, Wanderlei, & Chuck.

NO WAY he gets a title shot without signing a new iron clad contract

That would be a true SUPER FIGHT! ANDERSON SILVA vs Randy Couture. Make it happed UFC.