December 20, 1997
UFC Heavyweight Title Bout
Title Fight
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Predictions and betting recommendations are only available for fights after July 10, 2025
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Total UFC Fights | 3 | 4 |
| Experience Gap | -1 | 1 |
| Experience ELO | 1 118 | 1 129 |
| ELO Change | -37 | +37 |
Both fighters entered with identical experience levels (3 fights each). On this fight, close to zero experience-based adjustments were applied.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fight ? | Yes | Yes |
| Title Fight ELO | 1 124 | 1 175 |
| ELO Change | -24 | +71 |
Title fight! The championship stakes amplified the pressure. Randy Couture captured the UFC Heavyweight Title Bout with a title bonus.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Fight Outcome | Decision - Majority | Decision - Majority |
| Last Round | 3 | 3 |
| Time of Finish | 3:00 | 3:00 |
| Win Type ELO | 1 162 | 1 319 |
| ELO Change | -11 | +11 |
The Decision - Majority showed mixed judging, with Randy Couture earning reduced bonuses for the unclear victory margin.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes Landed | 9 | 19 |
| Significant Strikes Attempted | 17 | 31 |
| Total Strikes Landed | 18 | 54 |
| Knockdowns Scored | 0 | 0 |
| Striking ELO | 1 118 | 1 357 |
| ELO Change | -23 | +23 |
Randy Couture controlled the striking exchanges with 54 vs 18 total strikes, 19 vs 9 significant strikes, 61.3% vs 52.9% accuracy. Randy Couture capitalized on this striking dominance.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Takedowns Landed | 0 | 3 |
| Takedowns Attempted | 0 | 3 |
| Ground Control Time | -- | -- |
| Ground Strikes Landed | 1 | 19 |
| Ground ELO | 1 055 | 1 279 |
| ELO Change | -55 | +55 |
Randy Couture controlled Maurice Smith on the ground with 3 vs 0 takedowns, 19 ground strikes, earning substantial ground ELO bonuses.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Days Since Last Fight | 65 | 66 |
| Activity ELO | 1 130 | 1 322 |
| ELO Change | -13 | +39 |
Randy Couture demonstrated excellent fighting frequency with 66 days since his last fight, earning a solid activity bonus for maintaining rhythm. As the winner, Randy Couture capitalized on this activity level, while Maurice Smith's 65-day layoff didn't factor into the scoring since only winners receive activity bonuses.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Win Streak | 0 | 4 |
| Win Streak ELO | 1 040 | 1 106 |
| ELO Change | -20 | +28 |
Randy Couture extended his 4-fight win streak, earning a momentum bonus. Maurice Smith is back at 0 with this loss.
| Metric | Maurice Smith | Randy Couture |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
| Double Championship Fight | No | No |
| Basic/Category ELO | 1 028 | 1 084 |
| ELO Change | -20 | +20 |
This category provides the foundation ELO scoring without bonuses, except for exceptional multiple division champions.
Why It Matters:
Extra bonuses are awarded for title victories and undefeated streaks. These bonuses are only calculated for certain fighters with notable performances. Only UFC champions and undefeated fighters (in the UFC) can receive these bonuses.