UFC 28: High Stakes Preview

Kevin Randleman vs Randy Couture (Heavyweight Title Match)

As the title fight approaches in the Heavyweight division it's been a roller coaster ride just finding out who was participating. First it was our present match up, then Randleman was out so Randy Couture would face Pedro Rizzo what would be a kind of #1 contenders match. Finally, Pedro bows out with an injury and SEG comes to terms with their champ and Kevin is back in. All we're missing is a guest appearance by Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (who somehow made the poster without ever being on the card?). Although Kevin has said the Randleman of today would kill the Randleman of years ago, maybe the raw, unbridled rage of the old Kevin was better. After all, that Kevin finished people off in Brazil. It's kind of like that green Hulk/gray Hulk thing Marvel Comics went through a few years back. Remember that? Green Hulk was crazy-mean and gray Hulk was intelligent but more composed and restrained. He had 8 (6-2) fights in Brazil before any of the UFC fans knew who he was (he had black hair back then and I even saw him fight bald once). He fought some good opponents too: Tom Erikson, and UFC veterans Carlos Barreto, Ebenzer Braga, Dan Bobish, and Geza Kalman Jr. Kevin was knocked cold by Erikson and triangle choked out by Barreto but everything else was a win. Now Randleman is 3-1 in the UFC and they've all gone to decision with Kevin having fought for almost an hour and a half in the ring. I know he's progressed, but who was more effective? Randleman will have his hands full with Couture.

Randy is a 3-time All American Wrestler, 3-time National Greco-Roman champ, 2-time NCAA runner up and has plenty of other wrestling accomplishments to his name. He's also 4-0 in the UFC and was stripped of his title by SEG after UFC Japan because contract negotiations broke down. Randy is best known by MMA fans for being the man who met force with force in UFC 15. He knocked out "The Phenom" Vitor Belfort and handing him his first loss. Some say Vitor still hasn't recovered from it mentally.

MY PICK: I'm going for the upset. I expect Couture to be ready for Randleman. No one can question Kevin's strength, athleticism, stamina or heart but in the UFC he hasn't exhibited the killer instinct of the Kevin who rocked Brazil. I know Couture has been working on his submissions but I don't expect to see Kevin tapping. If it goes to a decision, I expect him to keep his title but I think Couture will end it in 3 to 4 rounds by referee stoppage.

Overall I expect a really good show, one we'll talk about for quite a while. With the two new weight divisions, it means two more titles to be defended on a regular basis thus making it easier for the UFC to have at least one title on the line at every show. Also, if we do see names like Rumina Sato in the Bantamweight division and Tom Erikson in the Superheavyweight division, the UFC should still be able to compete with the up-and-coming shows in the Midwest and on the coast and the big money shows overseas. It was the first and this card shows their effort to try and be the best.