Couture meets Vera in UFC 105
Randy Couture's resume speaks for itself. At 46 years old, Couture can already lay claim to being one of the world's deadliest mixed-martial artists, as well as a multiple UFC titleholder.
Randy Couture's resume speaks for itself.
At 46 years old, Couture can already lay claim to being one of the world's deadliest mixed-martial artists, as well as a multiple UFC titleholder.
And, at 46 years young, Couture has decided to step in the cage tomorrow night against UFC light heavyweight Brandon Vera, 32, who also needs no introduction. The two will be the co-main event of UFC 105 at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England. The 11-fight card also features a homecoming for middleweight British superstar Michael Bisping. Bisping (18-2) squares off against Denis Kang (22-6, 1 no contest) in other main event.
A natural-born wrestler, Couture (16-10) will certainly try to get Vera (11-3) on the ground - his bread-and-butter over a career spanning 12 years. On the flip, Vera's Muay Thai ability makes him extremely dangerous in the clinch and almost impossible to defeat if Couture tries to play the standup game. Vera is considered the top contender to face middleweight champion Lyoto Machida.
"He's a very strategic striker," Couture said of Vera in a teleconference. "Throws good, straight long punches and good kicks both low and high. So I don't expect that he's going to change that just because he's looking at me."
Couture, contractually linked to UFC through 2010, could become next in line to challenge Machida for his title if he wins.