UFC 68, or "Is 43 the new 30?"

[stultzies9]

Did anyone catch last week's UFC? The Randy Couture/Tim Sylvia fight was one of the best examples of Coach Sonnon's Performance Spiral I've ever seen. As the fight went on and on, you could SEE Couture's confidence get higher and his movements get smoother, while Sylvia just looked more and more dejected and bewildered round after round, until it was obvious he had no answers for anything Couture was doing. Beautiful.

And that's not to mention the fact that a retired 43-year-old athlete came in and dominated a man 13 years younger, 6 inches taller, and almost 50 pounds heavier for 25 minutes. Couture made me stop and re-think my ideas of what old is and is not.

[Ryan Murdock]

I believe that Coach Sonnon had a ringside seat at that event. ;)

[rutherford]

I saw some video today of Randy Couture using the Valve Box from Home Depot for a plyo box.

To be honest, I enjoyed the Hughes vs Lytle fight the most of the events, but was really happy to see Randy win the belt.

[stultzies9]

Coach Murdock, am I missing something here? It wouldn't surprise me if I am... :)

[Geoff Dixon]

That was one of the best fights I've seen in a loooooong time. Total domination. Couture had him completely outclassed.
geoff

[Coach Jones]

I couldn't resist jumping in here...

You should absolutely reconsider what a fighter's prime truly is. No doubt about it. With so many boomers out there remaining active and continuing to improve themselves, we'll be seeing a lot more "old timers" showing the kids how it's done.

However, in this case, it's also important to recognize that Randy Couture is an athlete, he has been all his life. He knows what it is to train and what it takes to excell - and beyond that - to rise to the top in sport.

Often, we tend to lump in a bunch of qualities alongside "younger". Some of these would be...

Faster, Stronger, Graceful, Coordinated, etc etc...

In this case it doesn't apply.

Sylvia's speed is marginal at best and do I even have to mention graceful or coordinated?

He's bigger to be sure...but stronger? No real compelling evidence in that reagrd either.

Randy Couture deserves serious respect for his performance both in this fight and others, he is truly an athlete, but no one should really be surprised that he could overcome someone who's greatest attributes are being big and young.

I don't want to pull focus away from the importance of the accomplishments of athletes who would have been thought "past their prime" only a few years ago. My intention is only to point out that in this case it seems to me more a matter of superior athlete winning the day.

Congrats to Randy.

[Ryan Murdock]

Coach Murdock, am I missing something here? It wouldn't surprise me if I am..
Nothing cryptic LOL. That was in Ohio, right? I believe that Coach attended the fight while he was out there for the Arnold. Was hoping he'd jump in with his comments once he clears his desk a bit.

[Scott Sonnon]

Andrei Arlovski was standing on top of his chair after the first knock-down. :D Most people were on their feet the entire 25 minutes.

It was a stellar fight since I too am in the so-called "geezer division." :) The game continues to evolve, though listening to the commentary of the fans is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

[Chuck Kechter]

The game continues to evolve, though listening to the commentary of the fans is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

HA! :D :D

Spot on, on both accounts!

[stultzies9]

You know, it's funny, but as much as I love watching these kinds of events, I've NEVER felt the urge to see one live. Too many drunken "fans" who are ready to boo the first time someone hits the ground for more than 6 seconds. So I don't envy you that one, Coach.

However, I'm incredibly envious of you getting to see the event live. I know I was pacing around my living room the whole time the fight was happening in various stages of disbelief. I can't even imagine what it would have been like in the middle of 19,000+ people.

And Coach Jones, great points on the perceived old age. I think more than anything what impressed me was that Randy was able to deal with someone as large as Sylvia leaning on him or punching at him for 25 minutes. Truth be told, I don't know of too many guys half his age that could manage that without dropping dead from exhaustion halfway through. More than Randy's skills, the fact that he was able to grind out the victory through heart and conditioning (boy I hope I'm phrasing that right) is what blew me away.

All in all, I felt like I was seeing an example of grace that night. Even if Randy gets obliterated in his next fight, he proved that there is more potential to being "middle aged" than anyone thought. It was Beauty to me, and I'm glad I witnessed it.

[Scott Sonnon]

In truth, television makes it larger than life. In reality, it's just one awful, tough, fast, hard fight. I actually have more respect for the latter. Aaron, I think you would too, inspite of the drunken fools.

[David Nicol]

What a performance by Randy - it just goes to show why the whole MMA have the upmost respect for him. That first knock down - wow...