LAS VEGAS – Some critics of mixed martial arts will view Brock Lesnar fighting Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight championship tonight as validation that mixed martial arts (MMA) isn’t much different from the WWE. After all, it wasn’t long ago when Lesnar was a headliner in World Wrestling Entertainment, capturing Vince McMahon’s heavyweight title three times (wink, wink).
The WWE and its scripted outcomes are more about marketing than sport. I have heard a few boxing promoters say the same about MMA. The fact Lesnar is getting a shot at the UFC’s most prestigious title in just his fourth MMA fight is reason for added skepticism.
Yet, what’s being hyped as one of the biggest MMA fights in history will attract a capacity crowd at the MGM Grand Arena and a large pay-per-view audience, giving the UFC no reason to apologize.
“The UFC puts on fights that people want to see, and Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title is a fight that people are interested in watching,” Lesnar said.
Still, the main event of UFC 91 exposes a contradiction within MMA. Couture, the 45-year-old defending champion, is one of the sport’s pioneers. He had his first UFC fight in 1997 and has since won the heavyweight title three times, in addition to two reigns as the light heavyweight champion.
“He’s a legend in the UFC, and one of the fighters that helped build this sport,” UFC president Dana White said.
Lesnar, meanwhile, is a 275-pound MMA neophyte. With just a 2-1 record in MMA, it’s doubtful he would be getting this title shot had he not made a name for himself at events like WrestleMania XIX. Being an All-American wrestler in college gives him a measure of credibility, but Lesnar certainly hasn’t earned a title shot in the traditional fashion. Simply, being Brock “The Next Big Thing” Lesnar was good enough.
“From the day I signed with [the UFC] I said I want to be the heavyweight champion,” said Lesnar, who lost his UFC debut to Frank Mir before beating Heath Herring last August. “Hopefully, this is a win-win for everybody. But I’m coming to win this fight and that’s the bottom line.”
Couture (16-8) will be fighting for the first time in 15 months after settling a legal dispute with the UFC. Couture had sought to get free from his contract with the company, but the two sides settled their differences in September. He also retired briefly in 2006.
“It’s the competition that I love,” Couture said. “I love to train and learn new skills and develop new tricks. And the ultimate is to test that and get in the ring.”
Tactically, it figures most of the fight will be spent on the ground. Couture is hoping to use his experience to counter Lesnar’s size and strength.
“Everybody has always said Randy Couture has always had great conditioning and we’re going to test that,” Lesnar said. “I’ve got to push around 230 pounds and Randy’s got to push around 275 pounds. I understand Randy’s fought big guys, but they don’t know how to wrestle and there’s a difference. I know how to wrestle.”
PREDICTION: I’ll take experience over size and strength. Couture by TKO or submission.
