Punch Drunk Love 8.27.07: Super Natural
Posted by Bren Oliver on 08.27.2007
The Mandalay Bay arena's lights have dimmed, "UFC 74: Respect" has wrapped, and fans' love affair with Randy Couture keeps on keepin' on. Read ahead as 411Mania MMA Zone contributor Bren Oliver waxes poetic on what 'The Natural' means to Mixed Martial Arts and why there is not, and may never be, another fighter who more defines the sport.
Great individuals exist in every walk of life and the sports world is no exception. These figures seperate themselves through professional accomplishment and occasionally don titles like "All Pro", "All Star", and every so often "Hall of Famer". But at the end of the day, and more fittingly the era, few men and women rise above the cream of the crop and become true icons of industry. This small fraternity put their stamp on history and their story is passed down from generation to generation. As great as Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, and Alex Rodriguez may be, as storied a career as each man may possess when he hangs up his cleats, all three superstars will be hard pressed to compete with Babe Ruth when it comes to the whole of baseball history. Men like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird will be remembered long after today's high-flyers, while Joe Montana will always be thought of as one of the greatest no matter where he ranks in the stat books twenty-five years from now. The rare combination of athletic prowess, a successful career, and personality traits one can only, appropriately, describe as "natural", turn mortal man into legend and flesh into the personification of a particular sport. It may sound like something out of a comic book, but then again, when it comes to Randy Couture, it's hard to dismiss the notion 'Captain America' really is a superhero. In fact, these days, it's hard to doubt anything when it comes to the UFC Heavyweight champion.
It's important fans understand exactly what we've been graced with since Randy Couture announced a return to the Octagon in mid-2007. To truly get an idea of how extraordinary his feats have been, one needs to look not at the beginning, but moreso towards the middle of Couture's rise to the pinnacle of MMA. It's not that his first UFC Heavyweight win in 2000 against Kevin Randleman isn't important or his two successful defenses of the belt against Pedro Rizzo are insignificant. This period of time is certainly crucial to both his career and the history of the UFC's big-boy division. However, when referencing his ascent to icon status, the legend of Randy Couture truly began with his TKO win over Chuck Liddell at UFC 43.
It was the summer of 2003 and Couture was coming off of back-to-back losses in the Heavyweight division. Liddell was at the top of his game, a solid wrestler with uncanny accuracy and sleeping powder in his mits. The "Iceman" was hungry for the UFC's Light Heavyweight Championship and this was his opportunity to finally grab hold of the gold. All he had to do was finish off a man in a new weightclass who had lost both his previous fights due to striking, an area Liddell excelled in. A later trend also proved true in this particular bout, as non-believers were shown to be wrong at the hands (and takedowns) of Randy Couture. The underdog Couture turned out to be the one notching a TKO on his belt. Another successful defense against Tito Ortiz led to another defining moment in the Natural's career, not only in terms of the win but also in the image of a comical spanking to Ortiz's 'Bad Boy' backside. He was 40-years old and sat atop one of the most dangerous divisions in Mixed Martial Arts. A cut-based stoppage cost him the belt against Vitor Belfort, but it was a loss he avenged later that year in convincing fashion. He was a three time champion and yet few considered him among the truly elite in MMA.
It appeared to many fans as though it was only a matter of time until a forty-one year old would fall victim to the superior striking or improving jiujitsu starting to infiltrate the UFC. No longer could a fighter purely rely on one skillset, like wrestling, as the mixing of martial arts was ever increasing around him. Six months later Chuck Liddell put Couture on the canvas with a trademark punch, and though the always aging former champion was able to beat fellow mat-specialist Mike Van Arsdale to procure a rematch for the title, it seemed obvious the second knockout by Liddell punctuated the period at the end of Couture's storied career. Fans applauded Randy's accomplishments as he hung up his gloves and welcomed a transition into the broadcast booth. For all purposes, as far as the world knew it at the time, February 2006 was the last time Randy Couture would step into the Octagon and he would certainly never sniff a UFC Championship again.
If it wasn't obvious enough Randy Couture was destined for the UFC Hall of Fame prior to the announcement of his retirement, it became very clear a few months later when he was inducted in a ceremony televised live on Spike TV. This seemed to close the book on the career of "Randy Couture - UFC Fighter". He had his gig providing commentary alongside Joe Rogan and/or Mike Goldberg, a number of prospects in Hollywood, an association with perhaps the hottest clothing line in the United States at the moment in Affliction, and a bustling business training people privately at his own facility in Las Vegas. And yet, for all the wonderful things going on in Couture's life, there was another aspect superceding any material success he was enjoying; something he'd had his entire life, long before the money or fame - a burning desire to compete.
As much as people may dislike Tim Sylvia, one thing cannot be denied when it comes to the big man out of Iowa and that's his role in making Randy Couture what he is today. It was not only Sylvia who physically lost the UFC Heavyweight Championship to Couture but also the 6'8" 'Maine-iac' who lured the 'Natural' out of retirement by turning in a timid performance against Andre Arlovski in their rubber match for the belt. Opportunity abounded, as Randy saw a champion afraid to engage and Dana White saw a premeire match-up in a very thin (at the time) Heavyweight division. Fans tended to take a different perspective, focusing on the dollar signs flickering in White's pupils while thoughts of Sylvia's striking ability made Couture's knockout an apparent inevitability. After all, as great a champion as Couture had once been, this was a 43-year old who was last seen on his back, eyes open with a confused expression and staring up at the arena lights while he himself being lights out.
Fans of Mixed Martial Arts are well-versed in the events of an early March evening in Columbus, Ohio when Randy Couture shocked the world. Few UFC followers haven't seen the opening punch nearly leveling the huge Miletich fighter, the five-round dominance, or the five minutes of stand-up which may have been the most exciting in UFC history for reasons other than an overall exchange of punches.
Twenty years from now, when "NBC Presents UFC Saturday Nights" is entering its 15th season, someone reading this article right now will turn to his or her child when a wrinkled, bald fellow with a bright smile waves from the crowd. "I remember when I saw that man become champion for the fifth time..." will be the start of the conversation and the sentiment will be received with wide-eyed amazement. There are very select moments in all sports, like athletes, that will forever stand out - Dwight Clark's touchdown catch, Kirk Gibson's homerun, and Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary" are but a few. Randy Couture's victory at UFC 68 is one of them and casts a shadow on many in sporting history. It was that special.
Rewind two decades, then fast-forward about five months, and you arrive at today. Sunday morning, August 26th, 2007, fans woke up to find Randy Couture retaining the title against another favored opponent. It was not just a dream but a reality from the night before. Gabriel Gonzaga made a name for himself by upsetting Mirko Cro Cop in as devestating a manner as fans have seen in the Octagon. 'Napao', who is today most definitely living up to his nickname's meaning of "big nose", was touted as having better striking and superior jiujitsu to Couture. He was younger and more well-rounded. Gonzaga was a man the Heavyweight Champion even credited as being a tougher match-up than someone with Mirko's world class credentials. The odds, and Gabriel Gonzaga, were against Randy Couture and he soundly beat them both.
Watching the current UFC Heavyweight Champion has become more than entertainment, competition, or a "must see" event. It has become a privilege. Couture is no longer simply a "Hall of Fame" combatant or an icon of the UFC. He is the icon of MMA.
There are competitors who have contributed more to the sport than Couture. Royce Gracie, for example, laid the foundation for the UFC and every copycat organization out there. There are fighters with better professional records and more bookings on the late night show circuit. Trailblazers, yes. Elite talents and colorful personalities, yes. Icons? Not even close.
Couture becomes the singular icon in Mixed Martial Arts, a transcendent figure in the sport, personifying all that is great about athletic competition. He has acted with class every step of the way while compiling accolades inside and outside of the cage, providing memorable moments at every stage of his career, and achieving goals few besides himself believed were possible. This particular phase in Couture's life, where discussion on "age" has shifted from geriatrics to that of a Golden one, is something every fan needs to appreciate. It is likely we will never see another individual compete at such a high level again while also carrying himself in the same professional, and personal, manner. And regardless of who eventually captures his UFC Championship, whether it's Minotauro or Mirko, Fedor or even Father Time, his image will withstand any test thrown its way.
Close your eyes and remember how you felt in March when Randy captured the Heavyweight Championship. Savor the moment. Never forget.
