UFC 105 Preview
Couture vs. Vera
UFC 105 will take place on November 14 in Manchester, England. The main event will be Randy Couture (16-10) versus Brandon Vera (11-3) in a Light Heavyweight match. This will be Couture’s return to light heavyweight since losing to Chuck Liddell in a championship bout.
Brandon Vera was one of the most promising light heavy/heavyweight fighters before losing three of his six last fights. Vera’s single notable win is over former UFC champion Frank Mir. Besides that all the hype that followed him before his three loses was merely heresy.
Randy Couture signed a new six-fight deal before he lost to Nogueira, meaning that Couture will be involved in more upcoming UFC blockbusters. His two previous losses were competitive enough to erase any doubts that Couture can continue as a major player in the UFC.
Randy “The Natural” Couture
Couture is 46 years young and proved against Nogueira that he still packs a punch. He is smart dropping to 205lbs because the heavyweights are simply too big for him. At least in a crowded 205lbs division, there are big names he can choose from and fight blockbuster matches. The Natural’s stand-up skills are a step below Vera’s. Couture should fight smart and take the fight to the ground to utilize ground-and-pound. It is not recommendable for Couture to stand and try to box Vera considering Vera has superior Muay Thai skills.
Brandon “The Truth” Vera Vera has a chance to resurrect his floundering MMA career. A dominant win of Couture would signal that he is ready to compete for a championship in the light heavyweight division. Vera was handled by Keith Jardine in a decision and Tim Sylvia also by decision. His other loss was to Werdum by controversial stoppage. Keith Jardine’s skills are comparable to Couture’s. The only difference is Couture is stronger. This could be a bad clash of styles for Vera, who can’t seem to take advantage of his superior striking skills against seemingly inferior striking opponents. The key for Vera is avoiding take downs. He does have training in BJJ but it hasn’t been tested and I doubt that it’ll be useful against an aging wrestling veteran in Couture. The move down in weight will benefit Vera more than it will benefit Couture. The heavyweights simply overpowered Vera and completely negated his supposed superior striking skills. Couture and Vera do have a common opponent in Sylvia. Couture battered Sylvia on the ground on his way to winning the heavyweight championship while Vera just couldn’t handle Sylvia’s size and added weight (body fat). Vera has a chance for redemption and to do it against one of the most recognized faces in MMA is an opportunity that can’t be passed up. On the other hand, if Couture wins, the light heavyweight division becomes more competitive than ever especially with Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz making rounds in 205. Couture is a favorite coming in the match but Vera will escape with a win against the legend.
Mike Swick (14-2-0) vs. Dan Hardy (22-6-0, 1 NC)
This fight will determine the number contender for Georges St. Pierre’s welterweight title. Hardy is just rolling along, winning six straight fights.
Mike Swick wasn’t originally slated to compete against Hardy but after Kim Dong-hyun pulled out with an injury, Dana White felt he was ready to compete for number one contender status.
Hardy will make Swick look amateurish and will face GSP for the welterweight title sometime next year.
Michael Bisping (18-2-0) vs. Denis Kang (32-11-1)
After the brutal knockout loss against Dan Henderson, Bisping has the opportunity to prove that he has recovered nicely from his second career loss. Bisping has built an impressive record with wins over Chris Leben and Matt Hamil but is unable to get over the hump. He lost to two elite fighters in Henderson and Rashad Evans.
Kang has dropped three of his last eight fights. He can control fights but is unable to finish his opponents. His best days are behind him.
Bisping will redeem himself in spectacular fashion against Kang. Manchester, England will cheer wildly for the English Bisping.
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