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Randy Weighs in on Sylvia vs. Fedor

1K views 19 replies 16 participants last post by  americanfighter 
#1 ·
A match-up between former Pride heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko, and former UFC heavyweight champion, Tim Sylvia, is currently in the works for a possible fight in July. Current UFC heavyweight champion, Randy “The Natural” Couture, recently spoke to MMAWeekly Radio about his thoughts on the fight, if it does happen.

Couture defeated Sylvia in March 2007 to regain the UFC heavyweight championship and for the last few months he has been campaigning for a fight with Emelianenko once his current deal with the UFC expires.

“I think Tim poses some interesting problems for anybody who wants to fight him,” said Couture. “At 6’8” and 280lbs, he’s a seasoned veteran now, he’s got some very good striking skills, I think he poses interesting problems for anybody.”

One of the obvious glaring problems for Fedor going into a fight with Sylvia is the size difference between the two fighters, and Couture understands that could create problems for the Russian.

“Fedor’s a lot more akin to my size, around 230lbs, and I think he may even be a little shorter than I am, I’m 6’1”, he may be 6’0” or even 5’11”,” Couture commented. “It’s interesting how Fedor just fought Hong Man Choi over New Year’s and that’s a 7’0” tall guy, who’s a lot heavier than Tim even, but probably not nearly as seasoned as Tim is, but still similar problems in the height and dealing with the range.”

Fedor was able to defeat Hong Man Choi on the ground, submitting the much bigger fighter by armbar in the first round of their match-up last New Year’s Eve.

The proposed fight would also give Couture a chance to size up Emelianenko with a similar opponent that he’s already faced.

“It would be an interesting match-up and I think it gives me a pretty good indication where I stand in watching on how Emelianenko kind of solves the problems that Tim poses and what happens in that fight,” he said.

Of course one major question looming overhead is would Couture still pursue a fight with Fedor if he loses to Tim Sylvia?

“I’m not sure if all the interest in that fight goes away if he should lose to Sylvia, having (I) just beat Sylvia back in March,” Couture said. “The whole thing for me at 44 years old at this stage in my career is to fight the best fighter in the world, and be considered the best fighter in the world.”

“I don’t have a lot of fights left in me to be honest, and so that fight makes sense to me. Now if he loses to Tim then obviously the question probably gets answered because he lost to Tim, and then they’ve got to decide and rank who’s the #1 fighter in the heavyweight division after that.”

As of now, the bout between Emelianenko and Sylvia is still in the works, and Couture will wait for his chance to step in the ring with the Russian fighter.
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6069&zoneid=2

If the Sylvia vs. Fedor fight happens i really hope that Fedor wins because otherwise i doubt the Fedor/Couture fight will happen. If i was Randy i would be worried about that and pretty pissed that Sylvia is probably going to get to fight him before Couture.
 
#7 ·
Cause the fights Tim signed on for don't mean jack heh

interesting read...
i wonder how Randy will look at it if Fedor destroys Silvia with ease.
really hope this fight will happen though
I was wondering that too, if Fedor subs Tim in 1 or 2 rounds while Randy got a 5 round UD.
 
#9 ·
I guess you didn't hear the news. The "Tim Sylvia pooped his pants" thing stopped being funny for over a year now. Get with the times dude!

Anyways, I agree about Fedor subbing Tim. Unless Tim can keep this off the ground he won't have any chance of beating Fedor.
 
#11 ·
Sylvia is a bad match up for Fedor.

The same problem nog had, is going to be the same problem fedor has. How is Fedor going to bring the fight to the ground. From what I have seen in his fights, he mostly uses his upper body to control his opponent. Thats going to be pretty difficult against a guy like Sylvia. So the question is, will he stand and can he outstrike him. Fedor has better standup, but he doesn't have the same reach.

That being said, fedor is god, so I know where my money will be lying on the table.

PS. I hate sylvia and am not excited for this fight, because Sylvia can make the most exciting fighters boring as hell. Except Randy.
 
#14 ·
I think Fedor will be able to use leg-trips to successfully take Tim down. Tim's definitely a tough match-up because of his length, but that length becomes of detriment in close quarters. This is visible in his last three fights as Couture leg-tripped him (even though Tim's back was bad), as did Vera and Nogueira. Tim's got a great sprawl, but Fedor never shoots for doubles, so Tim's going to have to prepare more for trips.

I won't doubt Fedor because I've seen him outstrike Cro Cop. Sure the reach is an issue, but in all honesty Fedor has faced every kind of fighter there is, he will prepare accordingly for Tim.

Should be a great fight though, I love watching both guys fight (especially Fedor).
 
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