By Robert Rousseau, About.com

Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera Prediction Introduction: Here’s a fact: Randy “The Natural” Couture is perhaps the only fighter in MMA today that can lose two straight fights and still have people all across the country believing in him. Maybe that’s because he’s lost two consecutive bouts as a heavyweight before- Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez, anyone?- before winning big against Chuck Liddell. In fact, as he prepares to take on Brandon “The Truth” Vera at UFC 105 in the 205 pound division, one fact seems important to note.
The last time Couture lost two straight heavyweight encounters, as he recently did against Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, he dropped down a weight class as well. And that time, things worked out pretty good for him. The question is, will things work out just as well at 205 against Vera?

What Randy Couture (16-10) brings to the table: Couture is a superior wrestler and perhaps the greatest ground and pound fighter in the history of MMA. Along with this, his takedowns, takedown defense, ground control skills, and knowledge of how to hurt people from the top position are simply on another level.

Couture is also hard to hurt on his feet, regularly destroys people in the clinch, and has the kind of cardio that makes younger fighters envious. That said, the last time he fought at 205 his hand speed seemed somewhat diminished in comparison to his opponents, even if his striking against Nogueira in his most recent fight looked very strong (even without a lot in the line of power). Though Couture is not a submission threat, he does have good submission defense.

What Brandon Vera (11-3) brings to the table: Vera’s strength is in his well-roundedness. He’s a former collegiate wrestler, so he likely possesses good takedowns and ground control skills, even if we’ve rarely seen him use these in MMA. He also has good takedown defense and better than average submission skills from both the top and bottom positions. However, it’s Vera’s Muay Thai skills that are often lauded. Along with this, he possesses excellent low kicks, good hands, and more than adequate power.

That said, he has never taken on a fighter with Couture’s ground and pound capability, and has lost most of the big fights he’s partaken in. So it’s hard to know how he’s going to respond.

Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera Prediction: One has to wonder if Couture’s age will catch up to him in terms of hand speed when he begins to throw down against a very good striker in a lighter weight class. Still, it’s hard to question The Natural’s cardio or wrestling. In other words, one has to ask themselves if Vera will be able to land a big punch or kick before Couture clinches with him and takes him down. Answer- probably not. Vera likely doesn’t have the takedown defense necessary to thwart his opponent’s wrestling- almost no one does- and he’s not known for a lot of one strike knockouts. On the ground, Couture should dominate, as Vera’s submission skills, though good, aren’t likely to catch him if Nogueira’s didn’t.

The final question? Does Couture have the cardio to keep taking Vera down and pounding on him through three rounds? Gotta figure that he does. But guess is that “The Natural’s” ground and pound will begin to wear on Vera, and by the second stanza he’ll be able to improve his position enough to really bring the heat. And that should translate to. . .

Randy Couture wins via second round TKO.

(PRESS RELEASE)

In April of 2006, Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin engaged in an unforgettable three round battle that left fans demanding a rematch between two of the best light heavyweights on the planet. On Saturday, November 21st, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Ortiz and Griffin will finally meet again, and this time it will be as the explosive main event of UFC 106. “One of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard was in Anaheim when Tito and Forrest fought for the first time, and they weren’t even the main event that night,” said UFC President Dana White. “With these two superstars headlining UFC 106 and with so much on the line for both of them, I think it’s going to be even crazier in Mandalay Bay on November 21st. Both guys have a lot to prove – to themselves and each other – so it’s gonna be an incredible fight for the fans.” “I’m excited to be the main event; I’ve been a UFC headliner many times in my 12-year career, so I promise the fans will get a great fight,” said Ortiz. “I’m gonna put my heart and soul in the Octagon, and I’m not trying to win with points, I’m gonna win with either a submission or a knockout – everyone will see me at my best on November 21st.” “It’s always nice to be in the main event, especially since I’m fighting at home,” said Griffin. “As far as the fight goes, a lot has happened since 2006, and I think I’m much better than I was back then. That means a win on November 21st, but more importantly I want to settle the score with Tito.” Tickets for UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2, priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100, not including applicable service charges, are on sale now at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at UFC.com, www.mandalaybay.com, or www.ticketmaster.com. UFC 106 will be available live on pay-per-view on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.95 for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available). Ortiz-Griffin 2 moves up the card to replace Brock Lesnar’s UFC heavyweight title defense against Shane Carwin, which was postponed until early 2010 due to an illness Lesnar suffered which has kept him out of training camp for nearly a month. Taking over the main event slot are UFC superstars Ortiz and Griffin. For Ortiz, the bout is an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the 205-pound weight class after an 18 month absence by defeating a fellow former light heavyweight champion. Across the Octagon is Griffin, a fighter looking for redemption against Ortiz after losing a razor thin split decision to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim on April 15, 2006. In that bout, Ortiz tore into Griffin at the opening bell, almost finishing the fight with his trademark ground and pound attack. Amazingly, Griffin survived the assault and roared back over the next two rounds, teaming with Ortiz for an instant classic. After 15 minutes, the judges declared Ortiz the winner, but the back and forth nature of the bout made it a natural for a rematch. In the newly-added co-feature to UFC 106: Ortiz vs Griffin 2, welterweight contenders collide as Josh Koscheck meets Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in one of the most intriguing 170-pound matchups of 2009. “Koscheck vs. Johnson is a great fight and I give credit to both guys for stepping up and making a fight like this happen,” said White. “The amazing thing about this fight is that both Koscheck and Johnson are world-class wrestlers, but they can also knock you out with one punch. I don’t know where this fight’s gonna go, but wherever it goes, it’s going to be one to remember.” Winner of the 2001 NCAA Division I National wrestling championship, Josh Koscheck entered MMA strictly as a wrestler, but as he battled his way through the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and up the welterweight ranks, he has evolved into a well-rounded contender with dynamite in his right hand. Owner of UFC wins over the likes of Diego Sanchez, Dustin Hazelett, Chris Lytle, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, and Frank Trigg, Koscheck is well on his way to a world title shot should he get by Anthony Johnson on November 21st. A junior college National wrestling champion, Anthony Johnson has nonetheless built his reputation in the UFC with his devastating knockout power. Winner of five of his seven Octagon bouts, San Jose’s “Rumble” has ended each of those victories (over Chad Reiner, Tommy Speer, Kevin Burns, Luigi Fioravanti, and Yoshiyuki Yoshida) by way of knockout, making him one of the most feared athletes in the 170-pound weight class.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com, UK.UFC.com, GERMANY.UFC.com, UFCJapan.jp or UFCEspanol.com. All bouts live and subject to change. About The Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC is the largest live pay-per-view event content provider in the world and the fastest growing main stream sports organization in history. Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, and Viewers Choice. International distributors include WOWOW in Japan, Premiere Combate and SporTV in Brazil, with worldwide distribution via the Internet on UFC.com and Yahoo! Sports. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. UFC programming is distributed in 132 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 415 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages. Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa® , The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

Disappointing however this fight card should be very interesting to watch

Written by Jesse Holland (http://mmamania.com/2009/11/07/strikeforce-fedor-vs-rogers-recap-and-final-thoughts)

The Strikeforce: “Fedor vs. Rogers” prime time mixed martial arts event airing live on CBS from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, has come to a close. So too, has the undefeated streak of Brett Rogers, after succumbing to a brutal right hook from Fedor Emelianenko in the early moments of round two of the main event. It wasn’t the landslide some predicted, as “The Grim” was tougher than a two-dollar steak, even busting the Russian open with a stinging jab in the first round. Rogers also avoided multiple submission attempts from Emelianenko by way of brute strength — and even had mount on the former PRIDE champ with some accurate bomb-dropping. Just another day at the office for Captain WAMMA. Emelianenko will likely face Fabricio Werdum for a chance to challenge the missing-in-action Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. Assuming the title is not vacated first. Marloes Coenen started things off by trying to prove that her previous loss to Roxanne Modafferi was a fluke and that she was a much different, much more dangerous fighter. Mission accomplished. Coenen made quick work of her opponent with crisp stand-up and a painful armbar that sent Modafferi to tapsville just over a minute into the first. Expect her to challenge current women’s champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos sooner rather than later. Antonio Silva came to the cage with a big foot and a big heart, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges in his unanimous decision loss to Fabricio Werdum. “Junior” was smashing his way through the first round with heavy hands and the killer instinct, but “Vai Cavalo” survived and eventually turned the tide midway through the fight. Though both fighters appeared to be exhausted by the third frame, Werdum was the busier of the two, ending the fight in a dominant position and leaving an indellible impression on the judges. No doubt he’ll be calling the Emelianenko camp first thing in the morning. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou says he’s from the jungle, which could explain why he has the heart of a lion. Despite being outclassed on his feet and on the ground, “The African Assassin” kept his composure and for once used his vaunted Judo skills to advance position in a fight. Mousasi went for several takedown attempts that were reversed; however, it wasn’t enough to stop the seemingly unstoppable “Dreamcatcher.” Turns out he didn’t need to put his championship belt on the line in this one — but rest assured there exists a crop of 205-pounders who won’t let him get away with that in the future. But if Mousasi fights like he did in his past two fights it probably won’t matter. What does matter to Jason Miller is putting on a show — as was obvious to anyone watching his entertaining entrance production. Hearing the pop for “Mayhem” and the roar of his “Monkeys” once again had me wondering aloud why he wasn’t promoted at all during the 360 special on Showtime. Perhaps they knew he was going to give this one away to the slick submission skills of Jake Shields? The former Elite XC welterweight champ continued to roll through any and all challengers, though he wasn’t completely out of danger during the contest. Miller stunned the grappling wizard with a DEEP rear naked choke in the waning seconds of the third frame. The Gracie disciple was mere seconds from napsville but the horn saved him from a shocking submission defeat. Jake Shields is your new Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. Who’s next at 185-pounds to challenge him for the gold? If Cung Le does return in December, he may eventually seek what many believe is still rightfully his. Now that the first Strikeforce CBS prime time show is in the books, what did you think of the production? The fights? You’ve heard what I had to say on the night’s festivities, now I want to hear from you.

Looks like we are going to have to wait longer if we want to see someone step up and finally beat Emelianenko , Vitor Belfort ?

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has withdrawn from his upcoming title defense against Shane Carwin because of an illness.

Lesnar was scheduled to fight Carwin in the main event of UFC 106 on Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The former professional wrestler and college wrestling champion said Monday he’s been out of training for nearly a month while battling the unspecified illness.
After their initial title fight was scrapped from this month’s UFC 106 card, an expected re-booking at UFC 108 between heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and challenger Shane Carwin (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) also appears dead.

Heavy.com was the first to report Lesnar’s withdrawal, and according to Carwin, he’s been notified Lesnar is suffering from mononucleosis and their UFC 108 bout is “not happening.”

“Brock has mono, and what the UFC has told me is that I have earned the title [shot] but I have to wait for the title holder,” he wrote on shane-carwin.com. “I hope Brock gets well soon.”

Carwin’s manager, Jason Genet, confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) late Wednesday that updates had been trickling in that made the fight seem unlikely.

In an earlier blog posted last week, Carwin announced that Lesnar was sick and out of their UFC 106 booking, which was slated for Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. (Carwin also claimed he had H1N1 but had opted not to pull out of the fight.)

The fight was then expected to be announced for UFC 108 on Jan. 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. However, a potential match-up between top contenders Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, which MMAjunkie.com reported on Wednesday (as likely but not signed), is now the leading candidate to headline that show.

The scrapped main event was supposed to serve as Lesnar’s first title defense since unifying the UFC’s heavyweight belts with a UFC 100 victory over then-interim champ Frank Mir. Lesnar won the title with a November 2008 victory over then-champ Randy Couture.

Carwin, meanwhile, looked to claim his 12th straight win at UFC 106. The 34-year-old has yet to fight longer than two minutes and 11 seconds in any bout. He had posted swift UFC victories over Christian Wellisch, Neil Wain and Gabriel Gonzaga to earn the title shot.

There is currently no target date for the matchup, and Carwin told MMAjunkie.com he’s remaining positive despite the financial strain caused by not fighting since March – and the challenger even offered a tip to aid Lesnar in his recovery.

“I am honored to be considered the contender, and I will wait for however long it takes to fight a healthy Brock Lesnar,” Carwin said. “I would suggest that he visits a Max Muscle Sports Nutrition near him as they have been a key to keeping me healthy and moving forward.

“I am thankful to my fans and my sponsors at Beaver Buzz Energy, Max Muscle, PerformanceMMA and Warrior Wear who have supported me and stood by my side. The financial and emotional support they provide me and my family has helped me more then they may ever know.”

Looks like we are going to have to wait a bit before we see Brock Lesnar in the octagon agian.

Former UFC interim heavyweight champion and mixed martial arts legend, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, is in talks to take on undefeated rising star Cain Velasquez at UFC 108, which is slated for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 2. Sensei Sportv (via Tatame.com) was the first to report the potential showdown. No official announcement has come from the promotion, or Velasquez’s camp, at this time. Stay tuned. UFC 108 is expected to feature a reshuffled main event between ailing heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar (if he can recover from a serious illness), and number one division contender, Shane Carwin. Former 205-pound champion, Rashad Evans, is currently penciled in to collide with Brazilian slugger, Thiago Silva, in the co-featured fight of the night.

Looks like this should be an interesting fight since both Nogera and Velasquez have alot to prove.