September 26, 2002
UFC Heavyweight Title Bout
Title Fight
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Predictions and betting recommendations are only available for fights after July 10, 2025
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Total UFC Fights | 9 | 5 |
| Experience Gap | 4 | -4 |
| Experience ELO | 1 156 | 1 197 |
| ELO Change | -35 | +44 |
Ricco Rodriguez overcame a 4-fight experience disadvantage (5 vs 9 fights), earning a reward for beating the more seasoned veteran Randy Couture.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fight ? | Yes | Yes |
| Title Fight ELO | 1 241 | 1 174 |
| ELO Change | -32 | +95 |
Title fight! The championship stakes amplified the pressure. Ricco Rodriguez captured the UFC Heavyweight Title Bout with a title bonus.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Fight Outcome | KO/TKO | KO/TKO |
| Last Round | 5 | 5 |
| Time of Finish | 3:04 | 3:04 |
| Win Type ELO | 1 355 | 1 398 |
| ELO Change | -57 | +114 |
Ricco Rodriguez gained a finish with a KO/TKO in round 5, earning finishing bonuses.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes Landed | 39 | 39 |
| Significant Strikes Attempted | 78 | 80 |
| Total Strikes Landed | 75 | 128 |
| Knockdowns Scored | 0 | 0 |
| Striking ELO | 1 293 | 1 328 |
| ELO Change | -81 | +81 |
Ricco Rodriguez dominated the striking exchanges with 128 vs 75 total strikes. Ricco Rodriguez capitalized on this striking dominance.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Takedowns Landed | 5 | 4 |
| Takedowns Attempted | 5 | 5 |
| Ground Control Time | 8:50 | 11:05 |
| Ground Strikes Landed | 25 | 30 |
| Ground ELO | 1 268 | 1 318 |
| ELO Change | -66 | +66 |
Ricco Rodriguez controlled Randy Couture on the ground with 4 takedowns, 11:05 of control time, 30 ground strikes, earning substantial ground ELO bonuses.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Days Since Last Fight | 189 | 140 |
| Activity ELO | 1 316 | 1 222 |
| ELO Change | -31 | +63 |
Ricco Rodriguez demonstrated solid activity levels with 140 days since his last fight, earning a moderate activity bonus for consistent scheduling. As the winner, Ricco Rodriguez capitalized on this activity level, while Randy Couture's 189-day layoff didn't factor into the scoring since only winners receive activity bonuses.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Win Streak | 0 | 5 |
| Win Streak ELO | 1 179 | 1 151 |
| ELO Change | -27 | +52 |
Ricco Rodriguez continued building serious momentum with a 5-fight win streak, earning a strong bonus as streak bonuses escalate. Randy Couture's now at 0.
| Metric | Randy Couture | Ricco Rodriguez |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
| Double Championship Fight | No | No |
| Basic/Category ELO | 1 092 | 1 102 |
| ELO Change | -23 | +23 |
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.