http://www.mmamania.com/2013/1/29/3...gns-multi-year-contract-bellator-spike-tv-mma UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture to appear for Bellator after signing multi-year contract with Spike TV Sleeping with the enemy? Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture is taking his mixed martial arts (MMA) act on the road. First stop? Spike TV, where "The Natural" will debut as a coach on the upcoming Bellator MMA reality show. SI.com with the monumental announcement: I guess when you have five billion in cash at your disposal you can afford nice things. Couture, who is no stranger to cashing checks from the competition, is one of the few remaining fighters who still retains control over his ancillary rights, which includes contractual language that allows him the freedom to use his likeness outside of UFC. Like when he made the cover of this recent video game. The timing is critical, as UFC and Bellator battle in court for the services of lightweight free agent Eddie Alvarez. Couture may no longer be an active fighter, but is still considered a part of ZUFFA's Mount Rushmore, thanks to historic battles against fellow MMA icons like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. And now his appearance for Spike TV could help Bjorn Rebney in his quest to go mainstream. Affliction MMA, part deux? The cable television network has arranged for a media conference call next Tuesday (Feb. 5, 2013) where Viacom execs, along with "The Natural," will go into more detail surrounding this game-changing deal. ZUFFA reps, including UFC President Dana White, have yet to comment, but that will likely change sooner rather than later. TFK
They should have him fight King Mo after King Mo wins the 205 title. Sure Mo whips him but it would generate huge publicity for Bellator.
agREED...Couture Paid his Dues in the Sport & Deserves to PIMP his Own Name Whenever or Wherever he Sees Fit.... REED:kidcool:
I'm shocked that Chuck Liddell hasn't gone to Bellator. He really didn't wanna quit fighting, Dana talked some sense into him and have him so lucrative job. If it wasn't for that I'm sure getting knocked out 10 times in a row or not Chuck would still be fighting somewhere.
Of course he has. Don't be ridiculous. He is one of the most popular fighters in UFC history whose name has been synonymous with the UFC for years. TFK
You gotta wonder if Liddell's been watching Rampage's last few fights thinking......"Hmmmm....I bet I could whip his ass now!" TFK
He would get KO'ed again. No doubt. Rampage as sloppy as he is lately can still take a shot and Chuck can't. Chuck should stick to fighting Tito Ortiz. There is Tito and his predator is Chuck and there is Chuck and his predator is Rampage and so on.
Whats up with Couture? I guess there's no talk of Expendables 3. The MMA reality angle has been played out already en route to a slow, painful death. Anything Bellator throws out now will fail regardless of Couture's name being associated with it. In my opinion this is nowhere near an earth shattering deal. It doesn't help Bellator (unless Randy fights). It doesn't hurt the UFC because, despite Couture's popularity, he was never the "UFC Brand". The only one who makes out is Couture. He gets a multi-year contract for his name. Good for him.
You don't think the casual MMA fan is gonna see a commercial with Randy Couture, and go "Hey! I know that guy! Maybe I'll watch." Or what about fans of the Expendables movies? Bringing Couture on board will pay dividends for Bellator. I don't think it'll hurt the UFC any more than the embarrassment of losing one of their most well known, retired Hall of Famers to the competition. But to me, the main point is Bellator is throwing their dick right out on the table. They're taking shots at the UFC, taking their spot on Spike, Spike airing UFC re-runs to counter live UFC events, the whole Alvarez situation, and now, bringing in Couture. The UFC has crushed other groups for less, but this time, the 'other group' isn't some rinky dink organization with no financial backing. They have Viacom writing the checks now, and as long as Viacom wants to stay in the MMA business, things are gonna become really interesting. I'm guessing the next volley will be over Rampage. Dana White is already on record as saying they have the right to match any offer, much like the Alvarez situation. Things are gonna heat up. TFK
I might be off base here, but no, I don't think the casual MMA fan will watch a reality show because they hear Couture attached to it. Hell, Jon Jones is one of the most popular mixed martial artist on the planet and I doubt he turns TUF into a ratings juggernaut. And that's with the history of the UFC and TUF behind him. I think where we primarily differ is the idea that Couture is significantly tied in name to the UFC brand. Couture almost always had a distant and strained relationship with the UFC. And as I said, despite his mass appeal, I think many might have viewed him as this system-bucking, anti-UFC character as oppossed to being the organization's posterboy. Hey, I hope I'm wrong. Nothing I'd love to see more than more people start paying attention to Bellator.
