I think Couture has a style to give Fedor fits. I think Randy can control Fedor in the clinch like no one ever has. If they were to fight in a cage Couture could put Fedor through hell. I still think Fedor would find a way to land a booming shot to put Couture away at some point during the fight.
Extremely tough fight for both guys. The question is impossible though and not for reasons you might think. Almost everyone agrees that Fedor's prime was in PrideFC days. But when the hell is Randy's prime? Some could argue, and argue very well, that it's now! The ****in' guy in incredible! He's FOURTY ****IN' SEVEN! (And by prime I mean the height of utility and the relative peak of overall skill)
People who say Randy or those that think a Prime Randy could give Fedor (prime or not) fits are delusional and obviously believe in Zuffa hype. Fedor has faced far better and more experienced wrestlers (with better MMA W:L record) and thrashed them convincingly. Randy was never that good, his large amount of losses proves this.
First of all - can everybody initially agree on what constitutes "prime" for each (ie one particular fight or year)?
I think Couture is a bigger and better version of Matt Lindland. Similarly he will pose a stylistic problem for Fedor. I think he would Fedor on his back BUT Couture will either catch a big punch standing or get caught with a sub. Fedor is an expert and turning a bad situation into a good one. One guys momentum will soon be his downfall.
Fedor Couture would be extremely violent. Remember the beating Fedor doled out to Heath Herring? Imagine that but x1000's worse.
This is like the old marciano vs ali question... everything tells me fedor should win. but randy being randy you just never know whats possible. Hes the absolute all time master of brilliant gameplans and surprise upsets. I think randy could beat him (Particularly in a cage) but he could only do it once. Any rematch and fedor will adapt to whatever randy brings..
Well that's a bit absurd, do you consider Randy 1000x worse of a fighter than Herring? Fedor would win with his solid guard and faster hands.