1 odpowiedź w tym temacie

[budo_dollyo]

Training Day: Randy Couture - 8/17/2004
by Jason Ross (Photos by Chris Rice)

Jerry Rice. George Foreman. Archie Moore. Barry Bonds. Those 4 names are revered in their given sports for their tremendous career accomplishments. Individual dominance and championships both help contribute to each man’s place among the best to ever play his sport. But what is truly remarkable about each man is how he was able to stay on top of his game beyond his 40th birthday.

Rice, who is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, caught 92 passes for 1221 yards after turning 40, and he will once again begin the season as the Oakland Raider’s starting wide receiver at the ripe age of 42. George Foreman remains the only man to ever win the World Heavyweight Championship after the age of 40. Big George accomplished that feat by knocking out Michael Moorer in 1994 at the age of 45. Archie Moore, arguably the best light heavyweight ever, successfully fought for the World Light Heavyweight Championship 8 times after his 40th birthday, including once when he was 6 months shy of turning 47. Barry Bonds, the only 6-time MVP, holder of half a dozen single season records, and only 66 homeruns shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time record, continues to be the most dominant offensive player in the game as he has a virtual lock on leading the majors in 4 offensive categories and winning his second NL batting title at the age of 40.


Being taken down is almost a forgone conclusion for Couture's opponents

In the burgeoning sport of mixed martial arts, there is really only one name that can justify inclusion in the elite fraternity of names mentioned above. He is the only 2-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. He is the only man in MMA history to win major titles (Pride or UFC) in 2 weight divisions. And he is the only man in MMA history to win a major title after the age of 40. He is Randy “the Natural” Couture.

As Couture prepares for what may be the biggest challenge of his career, he again shoots for another first. This time Couture attempts to become the first 2-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Standing in his way is the Brazilian phenom, Vitor Belfort, who spent 2 months in the isolation of Big Bear, preparing for this fight. So how is Couture preparing his 41-year-old body for combat against the 27-year-old Belfort? Did he find the Fountain of Youth? We sought answers to the enigma during a training day with ‘The Natural.’


Couture executes a picture perfect armbar

Located in Portland, Oregon sits a nondescript building, currently part of an expansion project, and home to Team Quest and Randy Couture. Once inside, you quickly get a feel for the business at hand. Couture is tied-up with Rico Rodriguez in the back of the gym- drenched from the second of his two training sessions for the day. The intensity of pre-fight preparations is now on the downturn, and focus is solely on staying loose physically while remaining mentally sharp for the August 21st rubber match with Vitor Belfort. As of August 10th, Couture began letting his body heal and getting his legs back beneath him.

This will be the combatants’ third encounter - the first ending in a solid victory for Couture and the second in a torn eyelid. The sentiments around the gym are the same; Randy’s loss at UFC 46 was a freak occurrence – a fluke.

“Randy got caught with a freak punch,” coach Robert Follis explains. “I don’t feel as if Randy lost that fight. I don’t think Vitor wanted to win that way, and I don’t think he’s as happy with the victory as he could be. Now we’re going to get another chance to see what he’s got.”


Will Randy use a submission against the jiu-jitsu expert?

To prepare, Couture and his team, which includes his coach of six years and business partner Robert Follis, put together a rigorous training program for the Belfort fight. Mondays and Wednesdays are the hard days while Tuesdays and Thursdays are lighter - of course, any session “can go hard” according to Couture. Each of these days is split into two, 3-hour sessions. The morning workout consists of conditioning drills where Couture uses push-ups, sit-ups and treadmill sprints to get his body into shape. Focus during the morning is also on technique, including hand and foot speed. The afternoon session continues with technique and sparring.

His diet is designed by Follis and California area chiropractor Ryan Parsons. Randy continues with his now-famous high alkaline diet, rich in raw vegetables and protein while limiting and/or eliminating sugars and dairy products. He also consumes the Lite Force supplement drink created by Parsons.

When asked if he is training any differently for Belfort, Couture maintains, “This is a continuation of the January fight. This is more time for me to refine my skills.” Couture went on to add, “Belfort still has mental hurdles after the first fight that will be difficult to overcome.”


Couture is ripped and ready for war

Coach Robert Follis agrees and explains that Couture’s game plan has not changed from his pre-UFC 46 preparation. “If anything we have been given extra time to perfect the original strategy. We’ve only refined what we were working on before. Randy liked the previous game plan. It’s solid, so we’re sticking to it.”

Despite popular opinion, Tito Ortiz and Ricco Rodriguez were not invited to help Couture prepare for Belfort; rather they volunteered to train with him. Couture was initially concerned with their bad boy attitudes and how they would fit within Team Quest’s mission statement. However, after training together, Couture says of the former Punishment teammates, “They were gracious and good to have at the school.”

Couture and Ortiz rendezvoused in Sacramento to train where Tito switched to a Southpaw stance to help Randy acclimate to Belfort’s left-handed attack. Also on board was frequent training partner and friend Maurice Smith who has been a staple in polishing Randy Couture’s kickboxing. Ricco Rodriguez, (who defeated Couture at UFC 39) rounded things out to add a strength and Jiu-Jitsu element to the camp.



As the weeks before the fight become days, family and friends surround Couture. “If I’m relaxed and having fun, I will have a good fight,” he says. But once he enters the Octagon, all that changes as he morphs into an intense gladiator ready for combat. When asked of future plans Couture refuses to look past Belfort, adding only that he has two fights left on his contract and can’t speculate as to his future at this point.

It is obvious that Randy Couture and Team Quest are prepared and ready to set the record straight, leaving no question as to will finish this bit of Unfinished Business.

[budo_dollyo]

Polecam ciekawy wywiadzik z Randym w MMA Evolution
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych Użytkowników]
Bardzo sympatyczny facio