Couture Retires...again

[TheAwesomeSlapstick]

Well I just read that he has decided to retire. That is unfortunate because I really enjoyed watching him fight. If any of you haven't seen the news, his decision was based upon the UFC not being able to sign Fedor Emelianenko. He had no one else to fight, and wanted to fight only the best in the world, which is supposed to be Fedor. Fedor has signed with Russian-based M-1 Mixed Fight Organization. He had nothing else to prove unless he could fight the best. Also, it looks like he won't be doing commentary any longer for UFC bouts. Oh well, that's business. Any thoughts on who will be fighting for the vacant Heavyweight Title? Arlovski, Cro Cop, Gonzaga, Kongo, Monson, Nogueira, Rizzo, Silva, Sylvia? None of the ones I listed? I don't know honestly, who do you guys think has a legitimate shot? Or better yet, who would you like to see fight for it whether they have been doing well lately or not (Cro Cop, I am looking at you):p ?

[Thanosguy]

Yeah, I heard about this too. That's really too bad, as Couture is a great fighter and also a great guy. He completely quit the UFC, so he probably won't be doing any commentary anymore.

As for who will be the next Heavyweight Champion: Who knows? I really think the Heavyweight division needs some beefing up. I really think that Kongo could be an absolute monster, he just needs to get a ground game. I'm pretty sure that I had heard that whoever won the Silvia vs. Vera fight was going to get the next shot a Couture, so maybe Dana will make that a title fight? Who knows?

Come on Cro Crop! This is your opportunity!:(

[FoxInStocks]

Okay, Coture did not "retire". That's the spin UFC is putting on it. Read Randy's comments, and you'll see what really happened.

Randy RESIGNED as UFC Heavyweight champ, commentator, and ambassador. He quit the UFC. He said that he does not want to represent them or be associated with them any more, period.

He gave three reasons for this: That he wants Fedor and UFC couldn't get him Fedor, that he felt he had been disrespected and lied to by the UFC, and that he'd heard what UFC was paying other fighters (and offering Fedor) and felt it was insulting to him.

Basically, Randy told the UFC that since they couldn't make the fight with Fedor, he'll do it himself. He's going to push to get a fight with Emelienanko, even if he has to sign with M-1.

I don't blame Randy either. He's 45. He's probably got one good fight left in him, and if he wants it to be against the #1 ranked fighter in the sport, that makes sense. Randy vs. Fedor is big money, and it's really a dream fight. If the UFC couldn't secure Fedor, Randy is left with...what? Kongo? Minotauro? I'm not knocking any of the UFC Heavyweights, but none of them are Fedor.

Dana White is trying to spin this to make it sound like Fedor is over rated and that Randy is retiring, but that's far from the truth. Randy quit the UFC.

EDIT: Also, I'm an Arlovski fan and so I'd like to see him back in the title picture, but I'm betting that you'll see some sort of mix up involving Silvia, Minotauro, and Kongo...which means that it'll probably be Minotauro, since Kongo isn't really ready (IMO), and I think Silvia would loose to Minotauro.