http://www.examiner.com/x-20066-Pittsburgh-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m10d30-Randy-Couture-urges-Ricky-Hatton-to-start-MMA
Randy Couture has stated that he thinks Ricky Hatton would be a good addition to the ranks of MMA.
The twice defeated light weltereweight Mancunian last fought against Manny Pacquaio earlier this year, which he lost in the early rounds. Since then it has been unclear whether he would ever box again, and Hatton has been concentrating mainly on promotional work.
Some have urged Hatton to retire from boxing, given that he seems to have achieved all he can in Boxing without breaking into the pound for pound contention. There have been other opponents rumored for Hatton in boxing, but it isn't clear what his opinions of them are at the moment.
Hatton is one fo those fighters who can beat all but the all time greats, which pits him either against lesser fighters he can beat fairly easily or losing to the pound for pound greats.
"I am a big fan of Ricky Hatton," said Couture. "He is a fantastic fighter. I could get him up to speed on the ground wrestling part of it, while he could take advantage of his boxing talent.
"He could make a big difference in the lighter categories."
Hatton is apparently a big fan of MMA and regularly watches and attends UFC events when they are in his hometown of Manchester. At 31 it looks as if his best boxing days may be behind him, having lost to the two best pound for pound fighters in his last three appearances.
Hatton would also be a massive draw for the UFC, particularly in the UK where he still has a huge fanbase. Whether his skills would transfer well to MMA would pose a problem against the better wrestlers of the division, but if he could pick up the basics well enough he could certainly be a force.
Certainly any lightweight fighters who tend to rely on their standup would have to think twice against Hatton in four ounce gloves.
Hatton said of MMA: "It is all action, proper fighting," he said. "They are going the right away about it to get people interested.
"There is a concern in boxing that UFC is taking its place. People seem to get more value for money.
"UFC would be right up my street, I used to kick box so maybe I would be all right."
Other boxers who have entered MMA have tended to flop, although are usually in their fourties and are fighting to get a pay check rather than as a real career. Hatton is still young enough and popular enough to be the first top boxer to enter MMA and show how well a boxer could do.
Couture later said: "A lot of boxers have trouble putting themselves in the situation where they are going to get choked and taken down. But if he can learn the ways of UFC then he could go a long way.
"He is a tremendous fighter and has a lot of heart. There is no doubt he could make a tremendous impact with his heart and determination in the ring."
This could all be hot air from Couture, or it could be Dana White testing the waters with regards to interest from Hatton. Either way, if Hatton does ever take up MMA, he could potentially be an even bigger draw than Brock Lesnar, who is the UFC's biggest pay per view draw at the moment
Randy Couture has stated that he thinks Ricky Hatton would be a good addition to the ranks of MMA.
The twice defeated light weltereweight Mancunian last fought against Manny Pacquaio earlier this year, which he lost in the early rounds. Since then it has been unclear whether he would ever box again, and Hatton has been concentrating mainly on promotional work.
Some have urged Hatton to retire from boxing, given that he seems to have achieved all he can in Boxing without breaking into the pound for pound contention. There have been other opponents rumored for Hatton in boxing, but it isn't clear what his opinions of them are at the moment.
Hatton is one fo those fighters who can beat all but the all time greats, which pits him either against lesser fighters he can beat fairly easily or losing to the pound for pound greats.
"I am a big fan of Ricky Hatton," said Couture. "He is a fantastic fighter. I could get him up to speed on the ground wrestling part of it, while he could take advantage of his boxing talent.
"He could make a big difference in the lighter categories."
Hatton is apparently a big fan of MMA and regularly watches and attends UFC events when they are in his hometown of Manchester. At 31 it looks as if his best boxing days may be behind him, having lost to the two best pound for pound fighters in his last three appearances.
Hatton would also be a massive draw for the UFC, particularly in the UK where he still has a huge fanbase. Whether his skills would transfer well to MMA would pose a problem against the better wrestlers of the division, but if he could pick up the basics well enough he could certainly be a force.
Certainly any lightweight fighters who tend to rely on their standup would have to think twice against Hatton in four ounce gloves.
Hatton said of MMA: "It is all action, proper fighting," he said. "They are going the right away about it to get people interested.
"There is a concern in boxing that UFC is taking its place. People seem to get more value for money.
"UFC would be right up my street, I used to kick box so maybe I would be all right."
Other boxers who have entered MMA have tended to flop, although are usually in their fourties and are fighting to get a pay check rather than as a real career. Hatton is still young enough and popular enough to be the first top boxer to enter MMA and show how well a boxer could do.
Couture later said: "A lot of boxers have trouble putting themselves in the situation where they are going to get choked and taken down. But if he can learn the ways of UFC then he could go a long way.
"He is a tremendous fighter and has a lot of heart. There is no doubt he could make a tremendous impact with his heart and determination in the ring."
This could all be hot air from Couture, or it could be Dana White testing the waters with regards to interest from Hatton. Either way, if Hatton does ever take up MMA, he could potentially be an even bigger draw than Brock Lesnar, who is the UFC's biggest pay per view draw at the moment
