Rumor: Liddell vs Couture in Germany [Archive]

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ATT

11-24-2008, 09:29 AM

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/11/22/668094/bloody-elbow-exclusive-chu

A strong source indicates to Bloody Elbow that Chuck Liddell is currently in negotiations to move to heavyweight in order to fight Randy Couture. The proposed fight would take place on June 13th in Cologne, Germany.

The UFC wants to have Randy on their Germany show because he speaks the language and can do all the promotion. The winner of the fight would face the heavyweight champion in a big fight at the end of the year.

Couture is uninterested in moving down to 205 where Forrest Griffin is champion and Wanderlei Silva is also a contender. Both are close to him and in his camp, and weight cutting takes a toll at his age. Given his status, they aren't going to have him fight guys like Cheick Kongo, it is only big fights for Couture at this stage.

For Liddell, the thought is that at his age the weight cutting process is taking more of a toll on his body, and whereas he would have to win a bunch of fights to get back at contention at 205, the heavyweight division is thin enough where he could jump in and be an immediate contender with a win.

It is believed internally that Couture/Liddell will draw better than Silva/Liddell, and they know that a potential Liddell/Lesnar match would probably be the biggest PPV in the history of MMA. It's one of those win-win situations for PPV business. Even a match between the two losers later in the year could likely do big business.

The Anderson Silva match was discussed, but the buyrate news from October pretty much sealed the deal against that fight. Anderson Silva will still probably fight in February in the UK, but not against Liddell.

Update: This show will be UFC 99 unless they add another show to their schedule. UFC 100 will be the weekend of July 4.

Rattlebone

11-24-2008, 09:56 AM

Appreciate the heads up link ATT.

JBNTX

11-24-2008, 12:01 PM

Chuck vs Randy 4 at heavyweight.........SWEET !! Nice looking out bro !!

Kimberly

11-24-2008, 01:00 PM

Man, I would love to go back to Germany to see that fight! Thanks for the heads up.

Seth

11-24-2008, 01:00 PM

Randy randy randy

Ivan

11-24-2008, 06:06 PM

oh god i would be afraid to even talk about that fight. They are both respected fighters, I still like randy 100 times better than chuck. But chuck has been able to take down some of the power-house fighters in his weight class, I dont know how this one would end up

randy would have to take chuck to the ground

JBNTX

11-25-2008, 03:53 PM

The score is CHuck 2, Randy 1, I like Randy at heavy weight though !!

Rattlebone

11-25-2008, 04:01 PM

Randy will take him.

bakogymrat

11-25-2008, 06:04 PM

oh god i would be afraid to even talk about that fight. They are both respected fighters,

I agree. I am afraid to state what I think. May I preface it with...I'm a girl...Be nice...I am learning. I have liked Chuck by default, because my husband liked him. He was the only MMA fighter that I knew by name...boy, how that has changed. Are these two guys staying in the game because they love it, and can still do damage, or for money? This seems like a "moeny" fight to me, for the fighters and the UFC. Am I seeing this incorrectly? I get that it is a business, but haven't they past their prime? Maybe that is what is going to make this good...are they close to equal because they are both nearing the end? REMEMBER...I'm learning! (I am kind of opinionated for someone who does not know what she is talking about ;))

Sac23722

11-25-2008, 08:46 PM

Here is my take -

The reason Randy beat Chuck the first time is he found a hole in his game - he would take a step with his left foot before every punch - So Randy would just get off first, throwing a punch everytime he saw the little step.
Chuck corrected it and was able to catch Randy in their next 2 fights. I don't think Randy would take this fight if he didn't see something else he could exploit and I am suspicious of Chuck going to heavyweight - I question whether he will still push himself in his cardio and get into good shape for the fight.

Now Bako - about why they are taking the fight. Sure they are both past their prime but I see a reason why Randy wants the fight - I'm sure it burns him that everyone thinks that Chuck has his number and he wants to prove people wrong. For Chuck on the other hand, I don't know why this is a good fight for him other than the money. There is not a chance he stays at heavyweight - there is no future there for him. He just can't compete with the bigger guys in the division. That being said, I don't see him working his way back to a title in light-heavyweight either. I think he might be left to "superfights" against other big names like Anderson Silva, Randy and people like that before he goes into retirement.

Kimberly

11-25-2008, 09:36 PM

Sac, I love it when your posts begin with "here's my take." :) You always have some great info.

JSwinz213

11-26-2008, 08:16 AM

If this rumor is true I will be there!! I just moved over here to Germany and would love to get my MMA fix over here. That would be a fun match-up to watch live.

I hope to go to London for UFC 95 and watch Justin Buccholz fight and win ...I am going to try my hardest to be there and represent for TAM!

Kimberly

11-26-2008, 08:17 AM

tobias

11-27-2008, 01:00 AM

Liddell and Couture do not need to fight again! From a business stand point though it makes great since. But why have them fight in Germany? Vegas is the big stage.

tobias

11-27-2008, 01:01 AM

Off topic, but where in Germany? I used to live in Kaiserslautern.

So how many countries have you lived in EJ? Germany, Turkey, and USA make three so far.

bakogymrat

11-27-2008, 07:39 AM

Liddell and Couture do not need to fight again! From a business stand point though it makes great since. But why have them fight in Germany? Vegas is the big stage.

Good point! If it is in Germany than it will not be on PPV, correct, which means less moolah for UFC, correct?

Kimberly

11-27-2008, 12:17 PM

So how many countries have you lived in EJ? Germany, Turkey, and USA make three so far.

And those are the only countries I have lived in (unfortunately), but not the only countries I have been to. That's what happens when you're a military brat. :D I love to travel and have more places to see.

JSwinz213

11-28-2008, 08:28 AM

Off topic, but where in Germany? I used to live in Kaiserslautern.

Ej,
I live in the Kaiserslautern area...I just got my place in a town called Schoenenberg. The US Air Force is what brought me over here for the next couple years...did you enjoy your time in Germany?

Kimberly

11-28-2008, 09:10 AM

Ej,
I live in the Kaiserslautern area...I just got my place in a town called Schoenenberg. The US Air Force is what brought me over here for the next couple years...did you enjoy your time in Germany?

I LOVED Germany! I lived there for 5 1/2 years (1978-1983). That was many years ago, but I remember every minute of it. I went back in 1993 (ex is in the Air Force) for a visit but that was my last time there. I want to go back like you wouldn't believe. My advice is travel when you can. Living in Germany is like being in the hub. We went everywhere when I lived there. But my favorite place in Germany -- Garmisch Partenkirchen (Bavaria). Anyway, I could go on and on, but will spare you. :) Enjoy it over there, but stay safe and thanks for doing what you do!