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« | Home | »

Reaction to Randy Couture’s resignation from UFC

By Zach Arnold | October 11, 2007

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Not from us, but from you.

Loretta Hunt and Sam Caplan talked about Randy Couture’s departure from UFC on Fight Network Radio.

  1. UFC HP: Dana White’s statement about Randy Couture’s departure from UFC
  2. MMA Game: Couture quits the UFC… holy crap
  3. MMA Weekly: Randy Couture resigns, White responds
  4. Sherdog: Randy Couture talks UFC resignation
  5. MMA on Tap: Media reaction to Randy Couture leaving UFC
  6. Sam Caplan: Trying to figure out what Randy and Dana’s statements really mean
  7. Fightlinker: The UFC tries to retire Randy
  8. Kevin Iole: Randy Couture stuns MMA world with retirement
  9. Steve Cofield: Now we know why Dana White was in a bad mood for the UFC 77 conference call
  10. UFC supporter: Saddened that MMA is turning into boxing and that fighters are crybabies
  11. Fox Sports: Randy Couture’s retirement stings UFC
  12. Fox News: Video of Fox News Fight Game covering Couture’s departure from UFC
  13. ADCC News: Eddie Goldman’s reaction to Randy Couture telling Dana White to take a hike
  14. Kevin Iole (Yahoo Sports): Dana White’s reaction could determine MMA’s future
  15. MMA HQ: Kevin Iole is a Zuffa robot
  16. Steve Sievert (Houston Chronicle): Randy Couture stuns MMA world by severing ties with UFC
  17. Adam Morgan: Dana White f***** up, period
  18. MMA Analyst: Randy Couture leaves the UFC… lack of respect and no Fedor, good reasons?
  19. Steve Cofield: MMA expert Luke Thomas on Couture’s departure (audio)
  20. MMA Payout: Potential fallout from Couture’s resignation and Greater transparency is the answer

Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 76 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

76 Responses to “Reaction to Randy Couture’s resignation from UFC”

  1. Body_Shots says:

    He’s Back – Couture Returns to Face Sylvia at UFC 68.
    “I’m in the process of signing a four fight deal over the next two years,” he said, “and like anything, you take it one fight at a time. The last thing I want to do is look past Tim Sylvia.”

  2. The Gaijin says:

    I LOVE dumbass Dana’s on the fly spin control.

    (1) Now Fedor is “vastly overrated”, when weeks ago he was the “best fighter on the planet” and the UFC was close to signing the #1 guy. And apparently he’s only had two fights – this is the extent of “what he’s done”;

    (2) He beat “50 year old” Mark Coleman – yeah he’s so ancient compared to 44-year old Couture especially considering he’s 42 ;);

    (3) Fedor presses the action in fights, so he’ll have trouble b/c Randy likes to press the action?? huh…It’s just as possible, if not moreso, that Randy would have trouble facing someone who presses the action like Fedor does;

    (4) Fedor has major problems with greco-roman guys….O’RLY? (i) The guy’s a world class sambo and judo fighter and I’ve never seen him do anything but dominate from the clinch; and his sub game is pretty brutal which is a good thing, b/c we know Randy is somewhat susceptible to subs. (ii) has he ever even faced a greco guy?

    But right on DW love the about face, you never do stuff like that.

  3. The Gaijin says:

    “Even small fuck-ups, like not giving Matt Hamill a rematch with Bisping after fucking him over. You’re deaf and can’t cut a good promo? No rematch for you, Matt.”

    Gotta vouch that it’s not his fault here. Hamill is out until early ’08 with an injury and they are in dire straits for main events what with all the shit going down these days.

  4. amusedbutinformed says:

    Unless there’s a major, ESPN-type player about to get into the game and sign Randy, then best of luck to Randy on his attempts to push his other interests without the UFC’s help. Six months on the sideline away from the national spotlight in this culture can turn you into yesterday’s news in a heartbeat. Getting pulled off UFC tv could be the difference between his biography being a best seller and the book tanking.

  5. David says:

    Randy sucked all the press and limelight he could from the UFC brand name and how his name is idolized alone. It will cost a lot for any promotion wanting to sign him but will pay dividends for the company. This is a very interesting situation as many have noted.

  6. Grape Knee High says:

    I’m surprised any of the intelligent fans here even bother with anything Kevin Iole or Dana White says about anything to do with Fedor and/or Couture. Dana will say whatever fanboy thoughts that pop into his head and Iole will provide White his media mouthpiece.

    That said, I’m just disappointed we won’t see Randy/Fedor or Randy/Big Nog (at least any time soon). Sucks. A year ago, I would have said both Fedor and Nog would have beaten Couture, but now I’m not so sure. Going by each of their last few fights, I’d have to go with Randy by manhandling.

    Anyway, how can anyone blame Couture? He’s doing what he feels is best for himself and his career. Good for him. Fighters should stand up to the UFC more often.

  7. Ross says:

    In the long term this alone shouldn’t harm the UFC. Randy is 44 and surely wouldn’t have kept going once he dropped the belt. You’d imagine all the UFC really loses is one or two fights from him.

    However, where it could damage them is if other fighters follow Randy’s lead and leave. It’s a slim chance given how respected he is and how many guys seem to train with him now. It could also hurt them if Dana starts trash talking Couture. It’s one thing for him to attack Tito or Josh Barnett, but I think bashing Couture is a bad idea.

  8. CapnHulk says:

    What a busy week.

  9. Zurich says:

    We need an emergency convening of Fight Opinion Radio! Jeff – enlighten us, can Randy just “sit out” for 9 months then sign with M-1 after midnight? Or is he technically in breach of his contract now by resigning, which lets Zuffa make a contractual claim to Couture’s next 2 fights, whereever/whenever they area?

  10. Zach Arnold says:

    Some of those questions got answered in tonight’s radio taping. Expect some fun tomorrow.

  11. Ivan Trembow says:

    Great news! Randy Couture’s departure will not “affect the [UFC heavyweight] division at all.” So sayeth Dana White in an interview on his company’s web site.

    In the same interview, Couture’s actions are blamed in part on the fact that “he hooked up with some Hollywood agent that I bitch slapped about a month ago, and these Hollywood agents are parasites.” Apparently it was the Hollywood agent who gave the interview saying that he felt personally and professionally disrespected by the UFC… no wait, that was Couture himself who said that.

    There’s always going to be someone else to blame, which is one of many things that Dana White has learned very well from Vince McMahon. If it’s not that gosh-darned media, it’s going to be the hardcore fans of the sport, or the fighters’ agents, or a “wacky” management team, or those “crazy to deal with” Japanese people, or even the fighters themselves, who are just like bitches in a beauty salon, you know. It’s always going to be someone else. Clearly, there is a shortage of mirrors in Las Vegas.

  12. defecation says:

    How many current title holders can the ufc loose for whatever reason before it really starts to hurt the bottom line? Also why won’t they do a grand prix in weight devisions where they have a wealth of talent? shrug.

  13. 45 Huddle says:

    While most of the interview with Dana White from the HP is spin material…. I sense there is some truth to the fact that people are getting into the ear of Randy Couture. That was the first impression I got when I read the interview Couture gave on Sherdog.com. That didn’t sound like the typical Couture.

    Either way, Couture has made his actions known. When the movies run out and he wakes up and realizes he screwed over the biggest MMA company, he is going to regret his decision.

    If he wanted to quit to fight Fedor, that would have been one thing. But he also quit the commentator roles and basically bashed his former employer in the process. Not a smart move at all…..

  14. D.Capitated says:

    Fedor has major problems with greco-roman guys….O’RLY? (i) The guy’s a world class sambo and judo fighter and I’ve never seen him do anything but dominate from the clinch; and his sub game is pretty brutal which is a good thing, b/c we know Randy is somewhat susceptible to subs. (ii) has he ever even faced a greco guy?

    THe only real greco guy he faced was in his last fight, and he was a 185lber, cut Fedor badly, and had him off his feet in the clinch and probably would have slammed him if he didn’t hold the ropes. Now put that fight in a cage and make the fighter 220lbs. Randy has dominated every fighter he’s ever fought in the clinch, including Barnett (who he actually took down and landed shots on from on top) and Ricco.

  15. cyphron says:

    Are UFC contracts guaranteed? If so, you can’t compare that with NFL contracts. NFL contracts are not guaranteed which is why it is always renegotiated and hold-outs happen. Renegotiation doesn’t happen in the NBA or MLB because those contracts are guaranteed. At least that’s how I remember it.

  16. Ultimo Santa says:

    D.Capitated – LOL
    Funny as always.

    A 185er? I’m sure he went into the fight at 205, minimum. And I seriously doubt that Fedor’s palm grazing the top rope didn’t facilitate him pivoting his entire bodyweight and landing on top during that exchange.

    And if the Great Lindland was as incredible as everyone claims, a ‘badly cut’, ‘overrated’ Fedor should not have been able to submit him that quickly after securing the takedown.

  17. Lemuel Jopio says:

    Randy Couture resigning is no different from a NFL player holding out for more money. Unlike the NFL, it looks like Couture can resign without any fine or financial lawsuit, unless he fights for another organization during the tenure of his contract.

    In the end, it all comes down to your leverage or strategy at the negotiation table. When Couture signed a contract to return to the UFC earlier this year, he saw it fit to accept that brokered deal and head back into the octagon. Obviously, he now wants to renegotiate a sweeter deal. And by simply quitting, he’s found a legal (or Grey) avenue to earn more greenbacks.

    I can’t blame Couture for what he did. This is all about business and we all know that the UFC is a business with a lot of potential dollars. Like every other professional sport, you can be hot one moment and cold the next. Couture is looking out for himself by getting the most dollars during his limited time at the top.

    On the flipside, the UFC does what every business owner should do and that is to maximize revenues by keeping salaries as low as possible. We all know that Zuffa is in the fight game to make a lot of money. And sure, the fighters need to get paid but Zuffa does what any other company would do in their situation, negotiate a contract as low as possible. We all know that Money is hard to earn, but it’s even harder to give away, especially when you’re a business owner.

    Apparently, given the rising popularity of the UFC, costs will probably increase in terms of fighter pay, unless Zuffa takes a hard stance (a la WWE) since they’re the only big name in town.

    Oooh…I love drama!

  18. Grape Knee High says:

    Renegotiations don’t happen much in the NBA because of max contracts and the vagaries of the salary cap.

    They happen plenty of times in the other major sports, MLB included. NFL contracts are not guaranteed, but they also receive much higher signing bonuses than other sports.

  19. D.Capitated says:

    A 185er? I’m sure he went into the fight at 205, minimum. And I seriously doubt that Fedor’s palm grazing the top rope didn’t facilitate him pivoting his entire bodyweight and landing on top during that exchange.

    Lindland is a middleweight prototypically, regardless of what he came in as. Its like saying that BJ Penn was a legit 205er against Lyoto Machida. He’s a smaller man than Fedor naturally. There is no doubting of that. As for whether or not holding the ropes helped prevent being taken down or not, well, I’ve seen the fight numerous times. Sure as hell looks like it did to me. “Palm grazing the top rope” is a hilarious claim of what really happened.

    And if the Great Lindland was as incredible as everyone claims, a ‘badly cut’, ‘overrated’ Fedor should not have been able to submit him that quickly after securing the takedown.

    I’m not saying Fedor is overrated. I am saying the truth though in that Lindland picked him up with underhooks and carried him back, as well as cut him in that short fight. Fedor should be disposing of top 10, nonchampion middleweights in a short period of time. He’s the dominant heavyweight champ, remember?

  20. jim allcorn says:

    A couple random thoughts …

    – Iole’s columns on this situation HAVE been awfully biased in favor of Dana & the UFC. Up to this point, I hadn’t had any issues with the guy’s MMA pieces, but now? I’d like to see him just go back to his boxing coverage. I’ve always like his boxing work & he ought to stick with his strong point. Yahoo! should just let Dave Meltzer handle all the MMA stuff IMO.

    – I’ve always thought that one of the best qualities about a really successful businessman is a strong/long history of NOT burning bridges. Dana White sometimes appears to do nothing BUT burn bridges every other time he open his mouth.

    He always seems to take every thing SO personally & wastes so much time & effort holding onto petty grudges. I really think it’s going to cost him his job someday.

    – I realize that Dana & the Fertitta boys go WAY back & have been tight for years & years, but I’m sure many of us have all seen family owned & operated businesses split over less than Dana’s recent fuck ups.

    I’m actually far from being a “Dana hater”, I admire much of what he’s been able to accomplish & I’d like to see him remain in a position of authority in the UFC. But, I really think that he needs someone else to hold his hand through financial dealings & negotiations. ‘Cause his lack of tact & diplomacy has obviously caught up to him big time over the course of the past week.

    The supposedly “done deal” with HBO fell apart, he failed to sign Fedor & his current #1 fighter, drawing card & the most publically respected athlete on his roster just bailed on him. Situations that would have likely cost 99.999% of other people their jobs taken on their own. But, combine all THREE of them & have them occur within a week oof one another?!!!

  21. DCap, I don’t think the question is whether or not Randy could put Fedor down, but whether or not he could keep him there, and then deal with Fedor’s standup tornado a la E. Honda. And that rope grab was indeed pretty vicious, but to what extent could that have changed the outcome of the fight? You saw the Randleplex, I’d assume?

  22. Zack says:

    “Lindland is a middleweight prototypically, regardless of what he came in as. Its like saying that BJ Penn was a legit 205er against Lyoto Machida.”

    Actually, its not like saying that at all.

  23. D.Capitated says:

    DCap, I don’t think the question is whether or not Randy could put Fedor down, but whether or not he could keep him there, and then deal with Fedor’s standup tornado a la E. Honda.

    Fedor’s standup isn’t that great. Oh, I know, “HE OUTSTRUCK CRO COP” and all that jazz, but Cro-Cop wasn’t thinking Fedor would try to outbox him, he saw it as Fedor trying to get the takedown and control on the ground, which, by the way, was true. Randy is a different fighter than Cro-Cop, which is obvious to all. Same goes for Noguiera. Yeah, Noguiera is great off his back and Randy isn’t, but Noguiera’s takedowns suck and his clinch game isn’t anywhere near the same league as Randy’s.

    Fedor’s GnP hasn’t been as solid recently. He’s shown great vulnerabilty to the clinch with Lindland. He had trouble finishing Mark Hunt (!) on the ground. Technically, his striking is a bit weak. He’s had serious problems with his hands. Fedor is not a perfect fighter, and he is not improving. Randy isn’t physically improving, in that he too is getting older, but technically he continues to add to what he can do. Add in a cage and suddenly Fedor isn’t anywhere near invincible.

    And that rope grab was indeed pretty vicious, but to what extent could that have changed the outcome of the fight? You saw the Randleplex, I’d assume?

    We’ll not know. I’d expect Fedor to win off his back anyhow, but he should be beating Matt Lindland. Matt isn’t a top heavyweight. He’s not even a top light heavyweight.

  24. D.Capitated says:

    Actually, its not like saying that at all.

    Where do you rank Matt Lindland at heavyweight? Top 20? Please, dude. Everyone on earth ranks him at 185, that’s where he’s fought the majority of his career, he’ll likely continue to fight there the majority of his career, et al. He’s not some hulking giant that’s cutting down. He looks smaller than Franklin.

  25. The Gaijin says:

    ^ In the same breath as people say this (I’m not accusing you), they use that same breath to say a statement like “Well Silva actually weighed MORE than Cro Cop…so really he wasn’t fighting someone bigger.”

    I think that might have been the point he was making, maybe not.

    But you’re correct, just b/c somebody bulks up to make a weight class, in this case two above their normal weight class, its not too indicative of how they’d fair against a true HW.

    I guess I didn’t really consider Lindland to have been “giving him lots of trouble”, but you’re right, he did have him on his back momentarily and got the underhooks in nicely…that being said the guy is one of the highest medalled wrestlers in mma.

  26. D.Capitated says:

    In the same breath as people say this (I’m not accusing you), they use that same breath to say a statement like “Well Silva actually weighed MORE than Cro Cop…so really he wasn’t fighting someone bigger.”

    Right, and that’s ridiculous. Cro-Cop is a naturally bigger guy than everyone Silva was fighting, to say nothing of Silva himself.

    But you’re correct, just b/c somebody bulks up to make a weight class, in this case two above their normal weight class, its not too indicative of how they’d fair against a true HW.

    Right. And so while he beat Lindland, well, isn’t he SUPPOSED to beat Lindland? And do so decisively? If I were Fedor and I had been cut in that manner and picked up, I’d be questioning what would happen against Couture also. Fedor is not stupid.

    I guess I didn’t really consider Lindland to have been “giving him lots of trouble”, but you’re right, he did have him on his back momentarily and got the underhooks in nicely…that being said the guy is one of the highest medalled wrestlers in mma.

    Lindland was able to do a bunch of things that a lot of people considered impossible for him to do against Fedor given the gap in natural size and caused him more problems than did bigger men like Coleman or Herring. Randy isn’t hyper fast in the ring at this point, nor is he a submission wizard, but I feel that he can dirty box Fedor to death against the wall of a cage and be effective in preventing submission attempts while pushing Fedor against the chain link in half guard and landing elbows and punches from the top.

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