FightHype.com had the privilege to speak with UFC legend and heavyweight champion Randy Couture about his impressive victory over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74 this past weekend. Check out what he had to say about Gonzaga, his gameplan coming into the fight, the broken forearm he suffered during the fight and how long he expects it to keep him sidelined. Plus, you don't want to miss what he had to say about his future plans as he talks about Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, his clothing line and much more!
PC: Congratulations Champ on another great performance.
RC: Thank you!
PC: Do you get the sense that you are the most loved person in sports right now?
RC: (laughing) I have no idea. Obviously it's nice to have the fans respond to me the way they have. It's always a pleasure to go out there and perform for them and it's happening so well.
PC: You seemed to want to keep those underhooks in and work the cage well. Was that the gameplan going in?
RC: Yeah, absolutely. I wanted to close the distance and push the pace, make him work, frustrate him and pick my opportunities to create distance and strike. It seemed to work very well. I didn't want to stay on the outside and trade with him. He's a big, strong guy. I was very impressed by his high kick. A lot of guys in training camp tried to kick me in the head, but he was very quick.
PC: Your hands have gotten so much better over the last couple of years Randy. What do you accredit that to?
RC: I've just really been focusing on fundamental boxing. A couple of years now, I've been working with a few different people, but most recently, Chris from UNLV boxing, Ron Frazier and Shawn Tompkins. Those three guys for my boxing and kickboxing. They've put me through a lot of drills and they have really helped me with my footwork and sharpened me up. I think that is definitely where I made my best improvement.
PC: During the fight, your forearm was broken. Did you immediately feel it break and how long will this keep you from training?
RC: Well obviously I felt the impact and realized it was very hard, you know? I wasn't sure it was broken. It was bone to bone contact with his shin and fortunately, it wasn't my head. It felt funny, but fortunately the fight ended pretty quickly after that. I was hoping it was just a bruise. It was real sore in the dressing room after the fight and I was thinking that's where he kicked me and I just had a real good bruise there, but the next morning, I woke up and it was very swollen and I realized there was no way I was just getting away with just a bruise. It's going to take six weeks for the bone to heal. It's very clean, nothing displaced at all, and it won't require any surgery. I just have to wear a splint for the next six weeks and try and stay off of it.
PC: I think it was in the first or second round when you landed the huge slam. Was he as strong as you thought and do you think you surprised him with your power?
RC: He's obviously a very big guy. He's thick and he felt strong. He didn't feel overpowering or anything, but he's definitely a big, strong guy. At the end of the first round, when I picked him up and dropped him, I was kind of surprised that he came up that high. Watching the replay of the tape, he grabbed the fence a little bit and that probably helped elevate him a little bit. He's definitely strong. He's big.
PC: Josh Barnett recently called you out and said you were a paper champion. Would you like to respond to that?
RC: Nah! Josh and I fought five or six years ago. Josh is a tough competitor. I think we are both a lot better fighters and a lot different fighters now. I know I am, and from what I've seen of Josh and his competition, he is as well. He's had some great fights the past year or two and if the UFC see's fit to sign him and throw him in the mix at heavyweight, then it potentially could happen.
PC: I know Fedor is the guy that you want. Do you hope the UFC can get something done with him soon and that he's your next opponent?
RC: Yeah. If that could happen, that would be great. I don't have a list or anything. There's a lot of tough fights out there, but most people consider Fedor the best fighter in the world and that's the kind of guys you want to fight.
PC: On All Access, people had the chance to see how busy you truly are. Do you get a little vacation now after the fight or is it right back to the office?
RC: No. No rest for the weary. I worked Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and I'm working today. I work a magic convention here and then I work another convention with my clothing line, so I've been very busy.
PC: Every fighter we see has an Affliction shirt on. Where did the Xtreme Couture clothing line idea come from? I'm sure you're very proud of how it's taken off.
RC: One of the top sales guys in the company, Tom Atencio, who does some training and knows a bunch of fighters, asked Josh Barnett, myself and a bunch of other guys and we were approached about doing signature tees with Affliction and the line. The tees have done remarkably well and it's a great line. It's a very graphic driven line with quality material and it's a perfect match for the demographic of the sport. I think that the fighter's kind of getting on board has driven a lot of what you see. I think now, it's kind of rallying with Xtreme Couture now because I have a partnership with Affliction through my Couture line. You'll see Quinton come out with that, Karo Parisyan and a lot of different fighters. George St-Pierre has come out with Xtreme Couture as well.
PC: It appears you and Michael Irvin became real close friends during Pros vs. Joes. How did it feel to have him there supporting you?
RC: It was cool. I was thrilled that Michael wanted to come out there and see the show. He got a real kick out of the submission match I did on the show with the other Joes. Kevin Willis, as well, is someone who I got along with real well. He also came to Las Vegas this week to say hello. It was just a really cool experience to be around those guys.
PC: Thanks for your time Champ. Is there anything you want to say in closing my man?
RC: No, I think we covered it.
PC: You are truly an amazing fighter Randy and thanks again!
RC: Thank you. Take care buddy.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]