The UFC 102 fight card is days away and fight fans of all types are excited for the main event, which features two of the greatest heavyweights ever to grace the Octagon. Who has the upper hand in the Couture/Nogueira fight?
RANDY “THE NATURAL” COUTURE
Record: 16-5
Notable victories: Chuck Lidell, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort
UFC 102 odds: -165
STRENGTHS: Thanks to his Olympic-caliber Greco-Roman wrestling background, Randy Couture is a master at using his body weight to control opponents — even people bigger than him, as he showed when he beat Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga. He’s a great clincher who smothers opponents and bludgeons them with his dirty boxing. He’s also excellent at defending against submissions on the ground – which will come in handy against the Jiu-Jitsu master Nogueira.
WEAKNESSES: He’s taken some bad knockout punches in his career — enough that his chin isn’t what it once was, so he’ll have to be careful not to get caught with a big shot. Couture also looked like he’d finally lost a step in his last fight, a loss to Brock Lesnar. He is 46, after all.
ANTONIO RODRIGO “MINOTAURO” NOGUEIRA
Record: 31-5-1
Notable victories: Josh Barnett, Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson
UFC 102 odds: +135
STRENGTHS: Some betting services recommend Nogueira because he’s arguably the greatest heavyweight submission artist of all time. He takes a beating most nights, but never loses focus on his goal of exploiting even the tiniest mistake from an opponent. He’s used that skill to survive and beat similar fighters to Couture, including Dan Henderson and Josh Barnett. His boxing is better than advertised and he’s 13 years younger than his opponent, so he should have a speed advantage.
WEAKNESSES: Even though he’s bigger, Nogueira may not be as physically strong as Couture. He could get beat up if Couture gets on top and starts a ground-and-pound assault. He also looked sluggish and very old for his age in his loss to Frank Mir last December.
OUTLOOKNogueira is younger, faster, and able to win in more ways. Bet on him to finish Randy Couture and move back up the heavyweight ladder.
Sports pick: Nogueira +135
