There is some good news for the loyal readers of the famous Great Sherdog Debate as it returns in full just in time for this weekend's promising UFC 74 card.
While the event is filled with intriguing match-ups, it's a logical decision for Sherdog.com columnist Mike Sloan, the winningest combatant in the history of the GSD, and Sherdog.com managing editor Mike Fridley, the man who has the highest winning percentage ever, to viciously debate the main event:
Randy Couture (Pictures) versus
Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures).
Hey Fridley, I kind of feel like Robert Downey, Jr. playing the role of himself in the classic 1980's movie
Less Than Zero as I simply can't keep away from these things. I am addicted beyond the point of an intervention and rehab. Even though I have dropped a dreadful three straight debates to you, I feel as though I can kick this on my own terms, with my own will power. Those closest to me have begged me to stop but like Star Jones when confronted with a buffet of pastries and burgers, I just can't pry myself away.
Thankfully the second longest losing streak of my entire career will come to a screeching halt this weekend as I am more than confident that challenger
Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) will upend the "super-natural" heavyweight champion
Randy Couture (Pictures). Not many people are sold on Gonzaga, believing that his highlight reel knockout of Croat Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic was merely a fluke but I disagree. Certainly the way Gonzaga sent Cro Cop's head into orbit courtesy of a Filipovic-esque kick was mind boggling, but I am in the minority here when I applaud myself for picking Gonzaga to prevail in that fight.
Then again, I am also the dope who felt that Couture had literally zero chance of beating then-champ
Tim Sylvia (Pictures), only to see "Captain America" not only embarrass yours truly but also the lurching Miletich fighter in the process. This time around, though, I know that Couture has a great chance of re-securing his title as he showed everyone he still has some horsepower left in that engine, but I just think Gonzaga is too big, too agile and too strong for Couture. I'm still waiting for Randy to finally show his age in a fight and mutate into a senior citizen before our eyes.
Wait, what am I talking about? I can't win this debate! I have picked incorrectly for literally every single fight in Couture's career save for the third fight with Belfort. I hope this doesn't mean I am doomed.
Call me crazy, but after reading that big mess I highly doubt anyone over the age of 28 is surprised that you've been feeling like Downey Jr. lately. But since you've dropped three straight to yours truly, I'll take the high road and walk away from that angle before it gets you in trouble.
Let's get right to the fights, shall we?
In the process of going undefeated in these fine debates, I've followed a flawless formula of putting experience, athleticism and training partners above all else when choosing the victor. I won't stray far from this trusted method for predicting UFC 74, so it's only "Natural" that I'm picking Couture to retain his strap come Aug. 25.
Experience? Check.
Aug. 25 will mark the fourteenth time Couture has headlined a UFC main event, in all of which a championship was on the line. Young Gonzaga comes up a wee short with zero title fights and one main draw.
Athleticism? Check.
Even at the ripe age of 44, the well-seasoned champion still has some of the sport's fastest reflexes accompanied by deceptively fast takedowns that will catapult him to his first successful title defense since reclaiming the belt in Columbus, Ohio against
Tim Sylvia (Pictures).
Training partners? Checkmate.
Few fighters surround themselves around as many solid training partners as Mr. Couture. His entire camp was littered with octagon veterans, while the final days of his preparation were aided by former PRIDE ace
Wanderlei Silva (Pictures). As for the challenger … well, even though BJJ instructor Marco Alvan is legit, the list of cohorts helping Gonzaga is less than desirable.
True, Gabriel made
Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) look extremely mediocre in England, but it wasn't the first time we've witnessed the Croat lay a dud against less than elite opposition.
Seconds after Gonzaga roped that right foot of his around Cro Cop's melon, the sounds of a stampede flooded across MMA message boards with every newbie and degenerate wiseguy handicapper proudly declaring "Napao" as the rightful heir to Couture's crown.
I'm glad to see you've made it back from your vacation in time to pick up some of this irritatingly plentiful anointing oil, so you too can stand proudly with the misguided masses.
I see your point in reference to Couture and his ability, etc. But one thing you fail to realize is that while, yes, he has headlined 14 UFC events while the title is on the line and, yes, his experience is beyond description, Couture is one of the most inconsistent fighters of this generation; he's lost six of those fights.
Couture is due to look like rubbish again and the time is now. Gonzaga is stronger, younger, and quicker and has much more to prove than does Couture. There comes a time in every legend's career to officially pass the torch along to the next king and Couture has done that at least twice already. Why not make it thrice?
Sure he'll probably bounce back and become the 205-pound champ by trouncing Rampage, Shogun and Hendo, but we're talking about the now, baby. Gonzaga will prevail, you'll wallow in your first ever defeat and then Generation TUF will claim Gonzaga is simply the greatest fighter to ever walk the earth since Tong Po.
That's all you got for me Sloan? No breakdown? No insight on how the fight will unfold?
Grab your notebook young buck, I'll tell you exactly how Couture will shock the sports world once again en route to retaining his title against the overrated Brazilian.
Much like he did to Sylvia back in March, Couture will make every effort to get punches off before his opponent has the opportunity to do likewise. Strike first, strike often, and then clinch when Gonzaga tries to counter.
Once he is drawn inside, "The Natural" will unleash his patented dirty-boxing: short, accurate punches and elbows with knees to the midsection mixed in.
When the challenger starts to overly defend or create enough distance to fire back, Couture will revert to his Greco-Roman roots and take the match to the canvas.
It's here where the old man thrives.
Dominant positioning is the key factor. If Randy doesn't have it, he'll work to his feet and repeat the process. Couture is much too experienced to allow his opponent to play the half-guard game.
Come Saturday night; expect this scenario to play out for 25 minutes, or until referee
Herb Dean (Pictures) steps in to save the once heralded upstart.
This lesson in proper debating is on the house, Sloan. Though you are surely on your way to dropping four straight like the lowly Buffalo Bills of the 90s, I hope you are able to learn a few things from this embarrassing experience.
Never submit a column when you've been partying like Derek from
Back to School, and never under
any circumstances, bet against
Randy Couture (Pictures).
Many people hate me because I think Huerta is the future and will bring in many Latino fans to MMA. He'll prove me right again as he'll obliterate Crane.
I agree. Huerta is the real deal and will dispatch of another octagon newcomer on Aug. 25. Look for Roger to pull away in the second frame and pick up a victory via TKO late midway through the bout.
Very intriguing fight, Fridley. My guess is that GSP will actually show up this time and smother/pepper/dominate Kos like he did to Sherk.
Diego Sanchez (Pictures) will then think, "why didn't I even try to do that?"
Without a doubt the easiest contest on the card to predict. Koscheck, also known as mixed martial arts' most prolific dancer (see Sanchez fight), will be overwhelmed in every aspect of the duel. Look for GSP to push the pace and pick up a dominating first round knockout with his hands. I for one, can't wait to see the look on Kos's face when he is awoken from the savage thrashing. I have a feeling it will be akin to
Forrest Griffin (Pictures)'s reaction when he woke up from the Jardine-delivered slumber at UFC 66.
Stevenson is a very likeable guy and he's a swell fighter. Pellegrino shares the same traits, but he'll be inferior against "Daddy." My guess is that Stevenson stops Pellegrino late in the third.
Pellegrino will be game, but Stevenson's ability is on another level. Look for Stevenson to attack the legs while in Kurt's guard, which will set up elbow strikes as the fight moves forward. Stevenson by unanimous decision after three hard-fought rounds.
I still think Cote, while he is a great individual, is a vastly overrated fighter. Grove is still green but certainly an all-around better fighter. Not too much action I predict in a fight won on points by the Hawaiian.
It's a shame that the UFC pitted an exciting fighter like Grove against a plodding sloth such as the BTT Canada middleweight. The
TUF winner should have little trouble with the boring fighter before making Cote cry uncle with a kneebar in the third frame.
Hmmm. I forgot this fight was on the card. I like Leites by points.
Nice analysis there Sloan. We can always count on you to deliver the goods (no pun intended). While Jensen has shown some skill in racking up an MMA record of 11-1 with his only defeat coming at the hands of UFC and WEC vet
Brock Larson (Pictures),
Thales Leites (Pictures) should cruise in scoring a quick
ippon over the Cornhusker. Leites by armbar in the first.
Which "Babalu" will show up this time: a hungry Brazilian some mistakenly picked to dethrone Liddell in their rematch or the same wreckless (see: ill-fated) bozo who was stopped by Liddell and Lambert? My guess is that Sobral will be smarter and catch Heath in an armbar sometime late in the second.
The comeback trail for Sobral starts here. While he will probably never hold a major championship belt, "Babalu" should win big Saturday against the Oklahoman. Renato will see his hand raised in the first after locking on a triangle choke.
They invited Mir back
again...? All Hardonk has to do is survive for about 90 seconds and he's in the clear because Mir, regardless of who trains him, will completely gas out by then. Hardonk will stop the former heavyweight champ in the second.
If Mir doesn't gas out, chances are he'll quit due to his lack of heart if the bout doesn't unfold in his favor. However, Hardonk is garbage on the ground, so look for the former champ to secure an arm early in the first. Mir by armbar in the opening period.
This should be the fight of the night without question. Super close, super competitive and super exciting. Aurelio is just an all-around better fighter, that's why he nabs the decision.
Why is this draw not scheduled to air as part of the pay-per-view broadcast? Anytime you pit a fighter who keeps a high pace like Guida against a ground wizard like Aurelio, sparks are guaranteed. While Marcus has had trouble with wrestlers in the past such as
Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) and
Antonio McKee (Pictures), Clay will make just enough mistakes to give the BJJ black belt the opening he needs to put this one away in the third. "Maximus" by rear-naked in the final stanza.
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