According to THIS ARTICLE, Randy Couture will square off against Brandon Vera at UFC 105 with Randy's return to the 205 lb weight class. I think that this is an interesting matchup, and not as easy to call as some might think.

First off, It'll be very interesting to see Randy back at 205. I'm eager to know how he'll do at that weight after a long hiatus from LHW. Furthermore, I'm interested to see how how he does against the younger Vera.

Vera has some good jiu-jitsu. A lot of guys hate on Team Lloyd Irvin because of Lloyd's "over the top" marketing style- but I'm sure that everyone can agree that Vera, Fowler, Ryan Hall (though no longer affiliate with Irvin), etc. are the real deal on the ground.

What will be more interesting than the grappling, however, will be the striking. Vera's striking looked VERY sharp in his last matchup. Quick strikes, better-than-decent footwork, good head movement. He looked hungry, and he looked dangerous. That being said- he's fighting Randy Couture this time... And Randy is no pushover for any man, at any weight.

Overall, I think that Randy has more ways to win this fight than Vera does. While I do see Vera landing some good strikes, and having one or two surprises on the ground- I think that Couture will be able to take Vera to the ground if the striking is an issue. I also think that once on the ground, Couture will be able to GNP his way to either a decision or a Unam. Just my $.02, and it's definitely nothing against Vera- but I'm calling "The Natural" on this one.

Thoughts?

After getting hit by Brock Lesnar, Tim Sylvia, Chuck Liddell, Gabe Gonzaga and Big Nog, I think Randy will be delighted to get punched by Vera for a change.

Alot more rides on this fight though, a loss to Brandon Vera will surely end his career despite the new fight deal with the UFC, losing to Lesnar and Big Nog isn't that bad because they are so dominant, bigger and younger. Vera is neither dominant or bigger and Randy has been fighting younger guys all his career.
A win for Randy however will go down as beating 'the young up and comer' and will be much more hyped up than a win for Vera. If Vera wins then they can say time finally caught up with Randy and almost play down his achievement. Its a very weird match-up and I certainly didn't expect it, its Hughes-Lytle all over again I think.

This may be the fight to get Vera back to way he used to be though, I am not gonna write Vera off but all the arrows are pointing at Randy by GnP, he can take anyone down and when there even Nog couldn't submit him, Vera won't have the control over Randy on the ground and wont be able to sweep him like Nog did. Vera could catch him flush on the feet but I doubt he will.

i absolutely love watching vera fight. definately top favorites to me. as richard said his striking looked very sharp and he looked dangerous. his jiu jitsu is fantastic and lets not forget the fact that he was a olympic candidate in grecko roman wrestlng. he is no push over. that being said....neither is randy. i think its going to be a war and a very exciting fight especially if randy can box like he did at the begining of the nog fight.

gonna be a bad day for whoever loses this, if randy loses hes prolly done...if vera loses he goes back down the totem pole and starts fighting cans again and loses credibility of winning both HW and LHW...i pick randy. Vera looked good vs soszynski but soszynski wasnt proven to be able to hang with the top group. vera DID just lose to jardine(not taking anything away from Jardine, the mans a friggin animal and shoulda beat rampage!) but i dont think vera is on top level. Neither is randy imo, so it will be closer than people give it credit for but i think randy pulls this out by LnP.

It was lay and pray alright, but against the cage instead of on the mat. Vera is usually very exciting but he looked like he was just trying to neutralize Randy instead of trying to win. He did a good job of not getting mugged against the cage and he landed a few really good kicks/knees but other than that he just got bullied.

A terribly disappointing fight from both guys - should have been a draw, nobody deserved to win that one.

How was that disapionting on Couture part???? That was a Randy 101 clinic all the way.