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According to new UFC light heavyweight kingpin Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's manager, a man who held the title twice in the past is gunning for the next shot at his fighter's strap.
Marcelo Alonso told Sherdog.com's Andy Cotterill that Randy Couture could be Shogun's first test as champion, contingent on the fact that he doesn't get caught by a KO shot by UFC newcomer and former boxing champ James Toney when the pair clash at UFC 118 in August.
If the UFC Hall of Famer comes out of that fight unscathed, he could meet Rua as soon as November or December, unless Couture agrees to take the fight on less than the usual three to four months notice.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't think Couture should be able to jump the queue to a title shot because he's Randy Couture, especially since he hasn't beaten anyone of note at 205 since 2004 when he took out a psychogically fragile Vitor Belfort at UFC 49. Sure, he beat Brandon Vera at UFC 105 and Mark Coleman at 109, but most believe that the decision should have gone to "The Truth" and although he was once dominant, "The Hammer" is a shell of his former self and not relevant in today's light heavy weight landscape.
That's not to say Couture couldn't pull of a win over Rua, I just don't think he should get it based on who he is and what he wants, especially with guys like Jon Jones, Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans already standing in line.
Going by this mentality of earning a shot based on past performances and previously holding a title, Rich Franklin shouldn't be too far off a shot at Shogun either.
Marcelo Alonso told Sherdog.com's Andy Cotterill that Randy Couture could be Shogun's first test as champion, contingent on the fact that he doesn't get caught by a KO shot by UFC newcomer and former boxing champ James Toney when the pair clash at UFC 118 in August.
If the UFC Hall of Famer comes out of that fight unscathed, he could meet Rua as soon as November or December, unless Couture agrees to take the fight on less than the usual three to four months notice.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't think Couture should be able to jump the queue to a title shot because he's Randy Couture, especially since he hasn't beaten anyone of note at 205 since 2004 when he took out a psychogically fragile Vitor Belfort at UFC 49. Sure, he beat Brandon Vera at UFC 105 and Mark Coleman at 109, but most believe that the decision should have gone to "The Truth" and although he was once dominant, "The Hammer" is a shell of his former self and not relevant in today's light heavy weight landscape.
That's not to say Couture couldn't pull of a win over Rua, I just don't think he should get it based on who he is and what he wants, especially with guys like Jon Jones, Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans already standing in line.
Going by this mentality of earning a shot based on past performances and previously holding a title, Rich Franklin shouldn't be too far off a shot at Shogun either.
I would love to see a Jon Jones/Shogun fight or Franklin/Shogun!! Those would be awesome!
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