Did Couture throw the fight last night?

[Ahoym8e]

Weird that he didn't even try to play his own game, and just stood up to box with lidell.

Dana White doing a little extra UFC promoting??? (as if it weren't shamelessly self promoting already...)

[Spider Web]

That's what it looked like to me...

You beat me to the question. It's funny we are not alone in our thinking. I was at a fight party and I was fortunate enough to be in the company of some GREAT BJJ player's, several of which has experienced a lot of success in the business. And the second the fight was over one of the most respected men and BJJ player's in attendance stood up immediately and adamantly said "that was a work" and made his way out of the room. Several other's chimed in that "well now that it's out there I have to agree".

I don't know what the bigger distraction would have been for me personally, a thumb in the eye (which I know by experience is terribly painful) or all the bank the two of them could make in a third PPV fight?

I had no vested interest in this fight, I am a fan of both men, and even though I felt Randy would win, I have nothing but total respect for Chuck's ability. I think he is a very intelligent and one incredibly tough opponet.

Take care all...

[THT]

Gee, I thought their first fight looked like a work. You know, Chuck laying on the ground just getting hit... Jeez

[KotoRyu]

Thanks for fucking it up for those who only got to tape the fight and haven't watched it yet.

[Spider Web]

You have got to be kidding...

You know when I tape a ball game I don't go watch ESPN before I watch my tape.

Come on, you visit a MMA web site, AFTER the fact, and it never once crossed your mind that maybe, just possibly, some of us who did see the fight might actually come on a MMA forum and talk about it?????? How dare us for being so inconsiderate...

[majorfufu]

you guys are crazy if you think randy took a dive. chuck tagged him with an absolute bomb right on the jaw. I like both fighters and i think on any given day either one could win. Randy should of tried taking chuck down but for some reason he didnt. I think it was a miscalculation on Randy's part to try and stand up with chuck, but nobody is gonna take a punch like that to throw a fight. Everytime there is a fight and people are suprised by the outcome they think it is fixed. Chuck is a hell of puncher and if he catches anyone with a shot like that it's lights out.

[KotoRyu]

You know when I tape a ball game I don't go watch ESPN before I watch my tape.

Come on, you visit a MMA web site, AFTER the fact, and it never once crossed your mind that maybe, just possibly, some of us who did see the fight might actually come on a MMA forum and talk about it?????? How dare us for being so inconsiderate...

That's why I avoided all the threads saying "UFC 52" and spoilers and the like. Not everyone gets to see them the first time around, you know....

[Tap4Me]

I had money on Coture. Granted he stood up for awhile(too long). He did great against Chuck in their 1st fight on the feet. I did notice Chuck was alittle more um(thinking of word) evasive(?), he moved around alot more and tried to keep his distance.

[kesslari]

I believe Chuck did a lot of training on avoiding getting clinched and taken down.
Seems like it worked for him. The man can definitely throw a punch.
JK

[Ahoym8e]

I've discussed this with several folks, and the consensus seems to be that it wasn't a fix.

I guess he got rocked a little and left the opening for Lidell to sock him.

I think that Couture was trying to beat lidell at his own game again, trying ot outstrike a striker, instead of clinching, taking down and working on the ground.

Others say that Chuck just had footwork and distance too good for Couture to close and clinch, kept him form shooting with lowkicks and kept him away up high with good jabs.

Who knows...

[Ahoym8e]

Thanks for fucking it up for those who only got to tape the fight and haven't watched it yet.

Sorry to ruin it for you. It is a pretty disappointing event though, so at least I didn't spoil a 5 round nail-biter for you...