Extended Preview for UFC 109: Couture vs. Coleman

When Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman was announced as the main event for UFC 109, a lot of MMA fans had some snide comments to share about "two old men"-this and "protecting Randy"-that. As this fight draws closer, though, it seems like a lot of people are starting to become believers.

As for the criticisms:

If competing successfully at the highest level of 21st century MMA when you're well into your mid-forties is some sort of joke, rather than being truly awe inspiring, can somebody please explain the punchline-- because I don't get it.

Then there's the notion that the UFC is pitching Couture a softball. Well, that's patently ludicrous for more reasons than one. Suffice it to say that, following the controversial Vera win, Randy still has plenty left to prove before he can be considered a viable contender at light-heavyweight. On top of that, Mark Coleman is far from a gimme opponent for anyone in the division. I admit I have joked a bit in the past about how badly he gassed against Mauricio Rua, but don't forget that "Shogun" is an amazing fighter who just took the LHW champ, Lyoto Machida, to a decision that many felt went the wrong way. Since then, Coleman won a decisive victory over one of Couture's regular training partners, Stephan Bonnar. So it's not like it has been years since "The Hammer" last tasted victory, either.

At the end of the day, critics will say what they want, but most of them will be glued to the screen when these two titans of MMA history clash on February 6th.