“He’s [Randy Couture] strong on the ground. He has very good jiu jitsu and excellent stamina. He’s stronger than I thought. Randy is good for this fight. He’s ready. Very good boxing. He will win.”
That’s the prediction from former PRIDE FC middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva on the upcoming UFC 74: “Respect” showdown between UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and Gabriel Gonzaga on August 25, according to XTremeCouture.com.
The “Axe Murderer” is taking time away from the Fizogen-Xtreme Couture gym in Wellington, Florida, to help “The Natural” prepare in Las Vegas for “Napao” — who hails from Brazil just like Silva.
Traitor? Not really … Silva is a ChuteBoxe product while Gonzaga fights out of Ludlow, Massachusetts as a part of Team Link. He and Randy also appear to be training and business partners.
Whatever the details may be on their arrangement one thing is certain: It’s a fantastic partnership that brings together two experienced mixed martial arts legends who are among the most recognizable in the sport.
Here’s a snip from Couture:
“It’s great to have him in the gym. I’m anxious to pick his brain. To explore his training tactics and techniques. I’m also looking forward to building a rapport with him going forward. We had some good goes today. We were working out of half guard and the mount. He’s very tough in both positions.”
Wait until the sparring begins — Silva boasts one one of the most feared and lethal stand-up repertoire’s on planet. There is certainly something in that aspect of his game that Couture can use to his advantage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
