UFC 91 Discussion: Brock Lesnar v. Randy Couture
Written by Lex on November 15th, 2008 in Live Discussion, MMA, Opinion, UFC, WWE, Wrestling Industry.
Tonight’s UFC 91 event features what many are calling the biggest MMA fight in history: former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar v. UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture for all the marbles.
Dana White has gone on record predicting that tonight’s UFC 91 card will garner 1.2 million buys, setting a new UFC record. Of course, with Brock Lesnar on the card, it’s a distinct possibility that WWE fans could push this card to that level.
I just found out yesterday that this PPV costs $49.95. That’s up from the $44.95 I paid for UFC: 88 featuring Rashad Evans v. Chuck Liddell. As excited as I am for tonight’s fight, I think $50 is a pretty steep price to pay for any MMA fight, especially considering that there’s always the possibility of the fight not making it out of the first round.
Ben Fowlkes, MMA writer for CNN/SI, makes a great point about tonight’s card:
But the UFC’s mistake is in pinning all its hopes on the main event, hoping fans won’t notice the lackluster undercard. It’s more like something you’d see on a boxing pay-per-view: one big fight, and the rest mostly filler. That’s simply not the UFC at its best. It’s the opposite of the strategy that got the organization to this point, one of stacking cards with compelling bouts like they’ve done with December’s UFC 92 card.
That’s why if UFC 91 doesn’t live up to White’s expectations (and it almost certainly won’t) he can’t blame Lesnar and Couture, but rather the mediocre lineup he’s backing them with.
So know this if you do buy tonight’s show: outside of the main event, this is not the UFC at its finest. Here’s tonight’s televised card:
- UFC Heavweight Championship: Brock Lesnar v. Randy “The Natural” Couture (c)
- Lightweight bout: Kenny Florian v. Joe “Daddy” Stevenson
- Heavyweight bout: Gabriel Gonzaga v. Josh Hendricks
- Middleweight bout: Demian Maia v. Nate “Rock” Quarry
- Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett v. Tamdan McCrory
Discuss UFC 91 here, and cast your prediction for tonight’s main event in the podcast poll:
November 15th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I’m rooting for Randy Couture but I don’t realistically see him winning.
Damn, I had more to say before I clicked on comments. lol
November 15th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I wish i didn’t have to watch the first 2 fights, as I really don’t care for those fighters. but, I have to go early to get a seat at Hooter’s to be able to watch this.
Luckluster, sure. But I’m really looking forward to GG trying to get back as the top dog, and see what Florian and Stevenson can do in the octagon. Three out of five fights isn’t that bad. Although, I still hate myself for having to watch those first 2 matches. Who knows, maybe they’ll be entertaining young kids? *cross fingers for a not too boring 1st hour of the PPV*
November 15th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Just asking cuz im curious, but how did the UFC title get world title status?
November 15th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
313rd,
The same way the NBA got “World Championship” status. Just by saying it…
November 15th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I’m a WWE fan, who hasn’t bought a PPV in a while. Have never bought a UFC fight. Tonight I am paying to watch this. I’ll be one of the 1.2 million curious as to the outcome.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Paying? I’ll watch this free at home!
November 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Dude, Where can i watch this for free?
November 15th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Sorry for being so nit picky here, but I just don’t understand how you can be a “World” champ in any sport if the title hasn’t been defended against other countries. But thats just me….
November 15th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I have often found out that whenever I doubt the undercard they turn out to be gem’s in the rough. This card will be AWESOME!!!!!!!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
this thing is starting
November 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
if anyone wants to watch this fro free online, check out http://www.justin.tv/widgets/jtv_player.r3e909b04e5ea385fb0f532a9b60e12fd897ce406.swf?channel=em151
November 15th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Maia is from Wanderli’s camp so this might be brutal they also said he is a team quest fighter
Qurey might be in for the loss
November 15th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
qurey comming out to Public enemy
November 15th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
quarry will get thumped here.. maia is 5 years younger.. i can’t see a 36 yr old quarry winning
November 15th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
oh well.. so much for quarry
November 15th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
beautiful body triangle and rear naked choke out in the first round but there was an aqward kiss on the lips afterwards.
A+ jujitsu fight but a d- for the man kiss
over all b+
November 15th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
i take lesnar. i also am sceptical of 1.2 million buys, im doubting that number. im not watching, although i came close, i just dont want to pay full price.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
so far so good the first fight was good but I love a good MMA fight
November 15th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
i also reckon lesnar will take this one…
November 15th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
hendriks will take this!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Gonzaga is next
I take him to win it this guy is making his ufc debut
Hindrecks is gone
November 15th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
1st round knockout
November 15th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
1 for hindricks
I doubt it
November 15th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
gonzaga comes out to Danzig! Nuff said
November 15th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
shit shit shit shit shit!!!! wow!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
tip: defend your face!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
gonzaga brutal knockout in the first
November 15th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
guess i was wrong..
gonzaga tore him apart
November 15th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
undercard fights own ryan thomas vs matt brown
November 15th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
matt is gonna win here
November 15th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
matt brown wins via armbar but not after being dropped on his head
November 15th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
crazy slams! good won for matt
November 15th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
more filler fights
November 15th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
tandem something vs dustin haslet
These two skinny guys might be exciteing
November 15th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
tandem something looks like I picture lex looking like
November 15th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Dustin comming fresh out of the mountains with that beard
November 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
wow his arm just got turned backward!
that was a rubber gaurd clinick
November 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
dustin haslet wins
November 15th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
and dusty takes this one
November 15th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
FILLLLLLLLLLER FIGHTS!!!!!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
los anjos vs stevens
November 15th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
ufc 89 was sooo much better…. hopefully the main event lives up to the “1.2million viewers” hype
November 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
setvens knockout of dos anjos with the best uppercut ever
November 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
hahahahahahhahahaha @ the running into the cage!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Holy Shit, what a knockout blow, Jeremy Stevens
November 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
yeah morgs… Amazing uppercut
November 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
that was a great fight he came back from almost being submitted
November 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
that punch came from last week
November 15th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
that was a life completeing moment
I had to hear 50 had to say
either way two of my presonal favorites fighting kenflow vs joe daddy
November 15th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
why does 50 cent still make music?
November 15th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
the classic was “Go buy his album, don’t download it”
November 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
sooo many submissions tonight
November 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
but that was brilliant
November 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Kenny Florian wins via rear naked choke, decent fight.
November 15th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
kenny wins by choke in a fantastic fight
November 15th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
penn vs florian 2 will be awesome
November 15th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
brock vs randy
this is going to be HUGE! I have randy winning it in the third
November 15th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I have Lesnar winning with a KO in the first,
Lesnar just moves too quickly for old Couture, and I will eat my words if he wins
November 15th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
i agree wif u aaron… lesnar ko 1st round… maybe submission.. coutre is past it… but this is gonna be huge!!!!!! lesnar representing ol’ vinnie Mac
November 15th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Lesnar coming to the ring via Metallica Enter Sandman.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:00 am
lets hope this one goes on till the end… it could really become a classic
November 16th, 2008 at 12:03 am
amazing 1st round
November 16th, 2008 at 12:06 am
My frickin link just went out, I can’t watch it.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Lensar KO 2nd round.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:08 am
wow…. cheers couture……..
November 16th, 2008 at 12:10 am
randy with the ballzy game plan but brock was too much 2nd round tko
November 16th, 2008 at 12:10 am
come on ya’ll
our boy Brock Lesnar is UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:10 am
YYYYYYYYYYYYESSSSSSSSS!!
Lashley/Lashley for UFC 108
^ Prediction
November 16th, 2008 at 12:12 am
lol jsn i was bout to say that!! lol LESNAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE NEXT BIG THING!!!!!! lol wonder what Vinnie Mac must be thinking
November 16th, 2008 at 12:14 am
so overall rating? good bad? so-so? the lesnar couture fight was brilliant.. what bout the rest of the card?
November 16th, 2008 at 12:14 am
brock needs to work conditioning if he wants to remain champion
November 16th, 2008 at 12:15 am
yeah his conditioning is suspect
November 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I give this card a 87% it had some slow spots but the submissions saved it. I like the actions on this card
November 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
overall it was worth my money
November 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
brock was gasing
you are right morgan, but I wonder what Angle is thinking NOW..
November 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
i’d say 82% wudn’t have given it an 80+ had it not been for the main event
November 16th, 2008 at 1:03 am
I’d give at an 83.3333345!
But seriously, Lesnar is a badass. I’d like to see Lesnar v. Mir 2, but I don’t know if Frank can beat Nog. Either way, Lesnar’s next fight is going to be a SERIOUS challenge on the ground.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:34 am
i don’t think lesnar wil beat mir again…
November 16th, 2008 at 2:16 am
Uhm, wow. This was the most fun I’ve ever had watching a PPV live - next to WM17. The place shook in happiness when Lesnar won. Even though they hated him at first. I’ll have a blog post on how monumental and fun thsi was to watch. The undercard delivered, and then some!
LL
Make me able to post, cause I want to go over this. Can you?
November 16th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Great show, I think that was the first time a UFC card has shown all of the fights (including prelims). Loads of stoppages, beautiful submissions, brutal knockouts, what more could you want? Best UFC show since 84 in my opinion, well worth staying up to watch.
I was really excited about the Lesnar v Couture fight and had no idea how it would go, but I had Randy winning by decision since you can never count out the Natural (I’ve learnt that the hard way). Couture had another good game plan and it seemed that Lesnar was gassed after the first but he proved that he’s for real and that he’s not a one dimensional wrestler with his stand up. Great win for Lesnar, can’t see him beating Big Nog though (Mir will get destroyed next month).
Florian looked real impressive, Joe Daddy’s a good fighter but Ken-Flo showed a BJJ masterclass. He’s become a very well rounded fighter and comes into fights with great strategies to win, so he could be one of the few lightweights that can test BJ Penn and if BJ takes him lightly then he’ll be in bring trouble. But if BJ beats GSP then who knows when Florian (or Thiago Alves for that matter) will get his title shot.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Congrats to Brock Lesner Hopefully he will have a great title region and Well Keep Getting Better in all of his fightes
November 16th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
lex i do agree gaining world title status by saying it. It’s like the NFL saying thats there world champions. Which is a joke because nobody outside of america plays American Football.