Couture, Coleman, Machida, and Rua: The Fantastic Four of the UFC

Riddle me this, fight fans…

What do Randy “The Natural” Couture and Mark “The Hammer” Coleman have in common with Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua?

Each pairing is scheduled to face each other, but win or lose, they absolutely would love to fight the winner/loser of the other scheduled match-up—with or without the championship belt on the line.

No matter the outcomes of the next few pay-per-view’s, Couture and Machida have both expressed a great deal of interest in wanting to fight each other (probably more-so with Couture), and absolutely without question, the rubber match between Rua and Coleman must happen, both for the sake of the fans, as well as, for the personal and professional fulfilments of these two fighters.

But on the flip-side of that scenario, I see absolutely no reason at all why Couture would not want to take on Rua if given the opportunity. Above all else, Couture is totally and completely committed to fighting all of the best that the light-heavyweight division has to offer.

Plus, I’m sure that Coleman would love a crack at Machida.

And why wouldn’t he?

After all, Coleman is a Hall of Fame fighter and former champion who hardly strikes me as the kind of individual who would ever be intimidated by anyone…including the Karate Kid.

Plus, it’s about fighting the best in the world isn’t it? Both past and present?

Personally, they could potentially schedule any combination of these four fighters at any one event in, let’s say, Antarctica, and I would be there to watch it. It would certainly take a heck of a lot more than global-warming and a bunch of killer leopard seals to stop me.

With that being said, let’s take a quick look at the benefits of these match-ups from the perspectives of both the fighters, and the fans:

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Couture vs Coleman

Fighters: This is going to be a great fight for both Hall of Famers. Despite being legends in the sport, these two men have never had the occasion to fight each other inside of the Octagon, and beating the other into submission would be an obvious feather in the cap for the winner. Plus, a victory would almost certainly guarantee a title shot for either of these men.

Hey…when you’re Randy Couture or Mark Coleman—you don’t have to wait in line very long (if at all) for a shot at the title. That’s the benefit of experience and being a Hall of Fame athlete in MMA. Just enjoy watching these guys while you can—don’t worry, they’ll retire soon enough and when they do, you’ll become nostalgic very quickly for the good ‘ol days.

Fans: The fans can complain all they want about not wanting to see these two aging “dinosaurs” fight each other. These two guys match up perfectly for an explosive, ground-and-pound war. If you love a good fight, then shut up and enjoy what will certainly be, without a doubt, one of the best and most exciting fights ever in the history of the UFC.

I can’t wait!

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Machida vs Rua

Fighters: This fight is the much anticipated rematch from one of the most controversial fights in the history of MMA. Both of these men learned a great deal from their initial experience (such as the importance of actually finishing a fight and not leaving decisions up to the judges). Expect fireworks and a definitive champion at the end of this one.

Fans: Fans love knock-outs, but that doesn’t always suit the game plan of a fighter who’s trying to work his way up the divisional ladder. Perhaps fighters should be rewarded more on performance and less on outcome. Both of these men lost (and in some cases gained) fans and respect from their first outing, which should tell you that there’s more on the line here than a shiny belt to wear around their wastes.

Can you say, “Fireworks?”

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Coleman vs Rua

Fighters: This fight could be the rubber match that sets the bar above all others (including Chuck and Tito, which isn’t technically a rubber match anyway). From what I could tell from the footage, these two men are far from done with each other, which then makes perfect sense why Coleman is set to fight Couture. If Coleman wins, expect to see him fighting Rua, with or without the championship belt around Rua’s waste.

Fans: I know that a lot of people think that Coleman is too old to be a top competitor, but just don’t try telling that to Coleman. He is eager, willing and more than capable of becoming the light-heavyweight champion. This fight would have the potential to be incredibly entertaining (and that’s what we want right, to be entertained?).

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Coleman vs Machida

Fighters: The best always want to fight the best. You don’t stop wanting to challenge yourself, just because you win a title or get a bit older. This would be a win-win for either of these fighters in either securing or redeeming their legacies.

Fans: A lot of fans wouldn’t be interested in this fight because they would perceive it to be a one-sided demolition of Mark Coleman. They want their memories “preserved” forever and would likely cry “retirement” as loud as they could in the hopes that Coleman would listen.

Too bad for everyone I guess that this fight would be nothing short of spectacular for one main reason: Coleman’s aggressive, persistent style of fighting is a handful for anyone. Just ask Rua.

If Coleman could beat Rua, and so many fans are convinced that Rua could beat Machida, then why would this match-up be anything less than awesome?!

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Couture vs Rua

Fighters: Randy Couture has dedicated his life to being the underdog. It is for this reason that he will never quit so long as there is still a breath in his lungs and matches that he finds intriguing. This fight happens to be one of them.

A win for Couture would silence his critics (for now) and give him a shot at his ultimate prize (not the championship belt—he’s had plenty of those).

He wants Machida!

As for Rua, what fighter on earth wouldn’t want to be involved in a main event with a legend as popular as Couture? Rua is no exception.

Fans: The fans don’t really want to see this fight (or so they think) because they perceive it to be yet another fight that Couture “hugs” his was through a decision and on to victory. Well guess what, fight fans: that is exactly what he does.

Couture is a wrestler and a scrapper and he definitely has no problem going wherever his opponent wants to take the fight.

Unfortunately for Couture, Vera was content on being held up against the fence for too long and the fans blamed Couture for it. Rua will want to fight and Couture will graciously give him what he wants—anywhere he wants it.

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Couture vs Machida

Fighters: The wait is over. A win for Machida in this match-up would propel him as the absolute best pound-for-pound fighter in the world (assuming he can get past Rua first).

A win for Couture would secure his legacy as the best fighter EVER in MMA history (sorry Fedor, but it’s true).

Fans: Some fans don’t care much for Couture these days because they feel that he has recently been over-hyped. Realistically…he probably has, but that’s hardly Couture’s fault. He is what he is, and anyone who can vividly remember some of the fights that he has had over the past five years will agree: Randy is the man.

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The UFC and its plans for global domination (hmmm… can you picture Dana White gently petting and stroking a long-haired, white cat?) are forever indebted to these four men for the work that they have done, the work that they are currently doing, and the work that they will continue do in the future as fighters and as ambassadors of the sport.

All four of these men have been chosen by the fans (and by destiny) for greatness.

My suggestion is that everyone else needs to just stay out of their way (for the time being at least), while MMA history writes itself.

The year 2010 will be remembered as the year the torch was passed on.

The Machida-Rua era is for real folks.

But as real as it is, we will never forget (nor should we) the men who made it all possible. Special thanks to Mark “The Hammer” Coleman and Randy “The Natural” Couture, for helping to make MMA what it is today.

Best of luck to you both at UFC 109.

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These are my opinions. If you don’t like them… I have others. Check them out at www.coachjamesryan.com