Coutures Final Fight in the UFC

Couture made his way down to the octagon to the roar of 55,000 fans. It would be for the last time.

When the ref released Machida and Couture and the bout began, Couture immediately began stalking Machida, and Lyoto back to form immediately began back tracking. Several times during the fight Couture was able to close the distance and actually get a hold of Machida but the trademark takedown would not come this time.

With the few shots that were traded during the sizing up process no real winner was apparent, and with Couture unable to secure the clinch Machida was fully in his element. Slowly Machida began to let the gloves fly when Couture did get in close and when Machida is at arms length is when he is most dangerous. Then the horn sounded for the end of the first round.

The second round began exactly as the first had ended, with "The Natural" trying to tie Lyoto up. Machida would bounce under and out once again gaining the distance he so needed. Then Machida went to throw a left kick and immediately switched to the right launching it right up the middle.

Couture zigged when he should have zagged, and at 1:05 of the second round the five time champion was knocked down and turtled up.

My heart tells me the fight was stopped early, that given another second, Captian America would have grabbed Machidas leg and went for the takedown after regaining composure. In this article, I am a fan, not an unbiased reporter.

My heart screamed out that Randy was fine, he went to defend himself while getting the cobwebs out of his head. Given one more second he would have found Lyoto raining down punches in an attempt to finish the fight and then he would have reversed the position and begun his game plan of ground and pound winning the fight if only the ref hadn't called it. If only.

Truth be told, Randy was slow. He couldn't tie Machida up. He was unable to secure the clinch and he was not going to get Machida to the ground. Couture, the master of mixed martial arts fight planning, the UFC Hall of Famer, and the deifier of time itself had one flaw...he was too slow.

At the end of the fight, he added one loss to his record and subtracted one tooth from his collection. With many speculating on whether this would actually be the last time we saw Randy in the octagon, I believe the time has truly come and this loss makes it official.

A line from the Gladiator movie sums it up best.
"Win the crowd and you will win your freedom."
Couture, you have earned your freedom. Enjoy life wherever its roads take you.
I'm just glad I was here to see it all happen.