Couture coming out of retirement?

by MMAmania.com on Dec 23, 2006 2:40 PM EST in UFC News

We were all over a Steve Seivert interview with Randy Couture a few days ago in which "The Natural" hinted at a return to the Octagon if Tito Ortiz beats Chuck Liddell at UFC 66.

To read the post click here.

Today, MMAWeekly.com ran an article that discusses the issue in a little more detail.

Here's a snip:

Prior to Couture's statements in the Houston Chronicle interview, it was widely believed that the next shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Title would be going to Forrest Griffin if he is successful in defeating Keith Jardine on the Liddell-Ortiz undercard. The next title shot could also go to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, particularly if Liddell beats Ortiz, but the UFC will likely want to give Jackson one non-title match before he fights for the title.

Of course, Rampage already has that non-title match lined up with Marvin Eastman at UFC 67 on February 3.

If you ask me, Couture fighting Ortiz -- win or lose on December 30 -- is the only fight that makes sense (if he plans to return, of course).

Couture-Liddell 4 would be nice, but there's just no reason for two fighters to fight one another more than three times.

And would the UFC want one of its most beloved, young and exciting fighters -- Forrest Griffin -- to lose to a quasi-retired legend?

Probably not.

Here's what the UFC should schedule once the blood is cleaned from the Octagon canvas on February 3:

Ortiz-Couture 2
Liddell-Griffin (even if Forrest loses to Jardine, or Chuck loses to Tito, who on planet Earth has not been begging to see this slugfest? It's overdue)
Rampage-Bisping

Wow. The UFC 205-pound class just got so much more interesting.

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Comments

I had not even thought of Rampage vs. Bisping. That would be a great fight. There are so many different combinations of great possible match-ups in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Same goes for Pride, but they have been very picky in the way that they have used Silva, Arona, Shogun, and Rogerio Nogueira.

by Ivan Trembow on Dec 24, 2006 6:02 AM EST reply actions

Wow, Bisping-Rampage would be amazing.

by Noel on Dec 26, 2006 1:28 PM EST reply actions

Rampage-Bisping, would not be all that impressive. Bisping’s first fight was very unimpressive. Hopefully it was because of first fight jitters and that he has not fought in some time. But if the trouble he had with Shaefer is what is pcoming he will be no match for RAmpage JAckson. Rampage would put a shoulder through Bisping chest with one of his legendary slams. Bisping sprawl or takedown defense is not ready for Rampage’s caliber of wrestling. Bisping needs more work before fighting a Rampage, Tito, or JEremy Horn. I think he (Bisping needs to fight some of the head hunters first) like JArdine, Griffin, or even Babalu before he gets into the killers of the weight class. And his takedown defense, wrestling/sprawl need more work before he can go for the big boys.

by Ray on Jan 1, 2007 7:34 AM EST reply actions

I can’t believe some of these posters with their “Bisping is not impressive” garbage. A TKO 4 minutes into the 1st round is not impressive? Sounds pretty good to me. Did some of you even take the time to find out who Schafer was? BB in BJJ. 9 – 1 in pro MMA. It’s unrealistic to think that a solid fighter like Schafer is gonna get floored in no time at all, even by a champion or top contender. Bisping didn’t have jitters and he did fine in the bout. Is Bisping ready for Rampage or Tito? He would put up a good fight, but I think he would lose to them at this point. Horn is irrelevant, because he’s not even in the UFC, and is fighting at 185 now.
Think before you post, guys.

by Pete on Jan 9, 2007 12:58 PM EST reply actions

Hoe can you say that Bisping was impressive, he had a good fight against a no-name fighter who couldnt last one wound let alone three. (Watch the post-fight interview) Bisping will be a great fighter, he tore-up the competition in TUF3 will this transerfer to PPV shows…. Stay tooned.

by BAM on Jan 10, 2007 1:07 AM EST reply actions