Randy Couture on PFL vs. Bellator PPV: “This Is Something The UFC Could Have Done When I Was Fighting”

“I could have fought Fedor Emelianenko”

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Randy Couture on PFL vs. Bellator card: “This is something the UFC could have done when I was fighting”

Randy Couture made his UFC debut in May of 1997.

Making a quick and lasting impression, Couture began his legendary career by winning two fights in the same night at UFC 13.

“I took that spot on short notice after someone broke their hand,” said Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer. “It’s not the hybrid sport that it is now, but I fought twice that night and I didn’t see those guys until I showed up at weigh-ins. So it’s a lot different now. We were out to prove that our fighting style was the best.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Couture, a three-time UFC heavyweight champ and two-time light heavyweight, helped create a sport that is now a global phenomenon.

“People thought we were criminals back then,” said Couture. “At best, we were thought of as this fringe sport. That is largely due to the promotional power of Dana White, Zuffa, and the Fertittas–they changed the landscape of the sport, and that’s allowed other promotions to flourish. There’s plenty of room in the market for all of us, and this PFL vs. Bellator card is a perfect example of that.”

Asked whether Couture’s era could have competed today’s stars, he did not hesitate in his answer.

“We would have made the adjustments to rise to the top of this era,” said Couture. “We would have found a way.”

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

Couture is working color commentary for tomorrow’s PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions pay-per-view broadcast. Taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the main card starts at 3pm ET. The main event is a clash of heavyweights, as 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira squares off against Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader.

Courtesy PFL

The other champion-versus-champion bout takes place in the co-main event, with 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Impa Kasanganay moving to the middleweight division to face undefeated Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen.

“I love that the PFL is willing to step up and do things like this for the sport,” said Couture. “This is something the UFC could have done back when I was fighting–I could have fought Fedor Emelianenko. So I’m excited for this card, and it’s the type of card we’ve been waiting to see for a long time.

“Renan Ferreira-Ryan Bader is going to be ridiculous. I can’t wait to see that one. Impa taking on Johnny Eblen, that’s a hell of a test. It’s a card the fans are going to love, and it’s a long time coming.”

The Bader-Ferreira bout has added stakes, as the winner will get a date against Francis Ngannou.

Tactically and technically, Bader has been better throughout the course of his career. He has the strong wrestling background, and he will be the toughest challenge Ferreira has faced in the cage.

“Bader has that strong wrestling background,” said Couture. “He’s going to find a way to slip in those long punches and kicks, and put Renan Ferreira on his back and make him fight from there. That’s when we’ll see how much work Renan has been doing.”

The card also features Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov, Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson, Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero, and Clay Collard vs. AJ McKee.

“I respect every single person who steps into that cage,” said Couture. “This is the Super Bowl of MMA, and I’m honored to be here.”

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The Pick ‘Em Section

UFC Fight Night flyweight bout: Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval

Pick: Brandon Moreno

UFC Fight Night featherweight bout: Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega

Pick: Yair Rodriguez

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions heavyweight bout: Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader

Pick: Ryan Bader

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions middleweight bout: Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen

Pick: Johnny Eblen

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions heavyweight bout: Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov

Pick: Vadim Nemkov

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions light heavyweight bout: Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero

Pick: Yoel Romero

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions catchweight (182-pound) bout: Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson

Pick: Jason Jackson

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions lightweight bout: Clay Collard vs. AJ McKee

Pick: AJ McKee

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions featherweight bout: Henry Corrales vs. Aaron Pico

Pick: Aaron Pico

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions lightweight bout: Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Emmanuel Palacio

Pick: Biaggio Ali Walsh

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions women’s super lightweight bout: Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey DeSantis

Pick: Claressa Shields

Last week: 3-2

2024 record: 9-10