5 Reasons Why Randy Couture Could Beat Lyoto Machida

After a hectic March where it felt like a good show was on each and every single week, even sometimes twice in one day, the UFC seems to be sitting out much of April. Fight fans will have to wait until the very end of the month before they get a chance to see UFC 129, but thankfully it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of the year. And today’s entry into my “5 Reasons Why” series focuses on one of the high-profile match-ups for that card: MMA legend and UFC Hall of Fame Member Randy Couture taking on Lyoto Machida. Let’s begin with the five reasons why Couture could beat Machida, with the reverse soon to follow.

5. Randy Couture knows how to deal with dangerous and unorthodox strikers.

Randy Couture really has done it all in MMA, and that means that he’s faced virtually every form of opponent out there. While Couture does have several (T)KO losses on his record, he’s got plenty of wins by (T)KO too, and some of those wins were against some of the most dangerous strikers in the game, at the time. He definitely has all the tools necessary to both plan for and defeat Lyoto Machida.

4. The “Machida Enigma” has been solved.

Until Machida fought Mauricio Rua, many people loved to both talk about and debate Lyoto Machida’s elusiveness. Why was it so tricky? Could anyone combat it? But then Rua answered that question not once, but twice. The mystery is over, the mystique is gone. Lyoto Machida’s style is just like any other style: it can make you a champion if you are good enough with it, but it is not without its flaws. And Couture is masterful when it comes to exploiting flaws in his opponent’s gameplan.

3. Couture is still evolving even after all this time.

It’s hard to classify Randy Couture as a fighter. Sure, he’s a world-class wrestler, but he’s so much more. He’s still got some of that old knockout power in his hands, he’s a master of clinching, he practically pioneered dirty boxing in MMA. And yet after all this time, I still notice subtle tweaks in his gameplan, slight changes that keep his style both relevant and imposing. One of the main reasons Couture is MMA’s “Ageless Wonder” is because of his uncanny ability to adapt his style over time. And that’s also one of the main reasons he could beat Lyoto Machida.

2. Randy Couture is on a three-fight win-streak.

It’s been almost two years since Randy Couture lost in the UFC. Since then, he’s competed three times, twice at Light Heavyweight and once at Heavyweight, and has won all three bouts. Even better, Couture is currently riding high on the heels of two back-to-back submissions. Meanwhile, Lyoto Machida is coming off of two very, very deflating losses.

And the number one reason why I think Randy Couture could beat Lyoto Machida is…

1. Lyoto Machida’s legacy and UFC career may be at stake, but Randy Couture will retire a legend no matter what.

I’m one of the biggest Machida fans out there, but this is definitely the major reason why Couture can beat Machida. Sometimes a “do or die” situation brings out the best in a champion (more on that later), but sometimes it doesn’t. Machida is running on the razor’s edge, only a select few remain UFC employees after losing three straight fights. Meanwhile, Couture could retire tomorrow and everyone would consider him one of the best ever, even if I’m sure everyone would be upset about him pulling out of this fight. With no pressure and nothing left to prove, Couture can simply go out and do what he loves to do: not just fighting, but winning.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. Stay tuned for part 2, it’ll be up soon. But for now: why do you think Randy Couture could beat Lyoto Machida?