Randy Couture

Randy "The Natural" Couture

Couture at the San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2010
Born Randy Duane Couture
June 22, 1963 (1963-06-22) (age 47)
Everett, Washington, United States
Other names The Natural, Captain America
Nationality United States American
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)
Division 205 & 265
Reach 75.0 in (191 cm)[2]
Style Greco-Roman Wrestling, Boxing, Catch Wrestling
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada
Team Xtreme Couture
Rank NCAA Division I Wrestler
Olympic Alternate Greco-Roman Wrestler
Years active 1997–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total 29
Wins 19
By knockout 7
By submission 4
By decision 8
Losses 10
By knockout 6
By submission 3
By decision 1
Other information
University Oklahoma State University
Children 4
Notable relatives Ryan Couture, son
Notable school(s) Lynnwood High School
Website http://www.randycouture.tv/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: August 29, 2009
Medal record
Men's Wrestling
Competitor for the  United States
Pan American Games
Gold 1991 Havana Greco-Roman (– 90 kg)

Randy Duane Couture (pronounced /koʊˈtʊər/; born June 22, 1963) is an American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion and a two-time light-heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Couture is one of only two UFC fighters to have held a championship title in two different divisions (heavyweight and light heavyweight; B.J. Penn, with his titles at welterweight and lightweight, is the other) in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as the only five-time champion in UFC history. Couture has competed in 15 title fights, a record. He, along with Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell holds the record for most UFC fights, with 23. Couture is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame and many consider him to be the most popular fighter in MMA history.[3]

Couture was an Olympic wrestling alternate and has lived in Corvallis, Oregon, throughout much of his career, where he served as an assistant wrestling coach and a strength and conditioning coach for Oregon State University.[4] He established Team Quest with Matt Lindland and Dan Henderson, a training camp for fighters, based out of Gresham, Oregon, and headed by coach Robert Folis. In 2005, Couture moved to Las Vegas, where he opened his own extensive chain of gyms under the name Xtreme Couture. He currently trains at his Las Vegas-based gym. Couture also partnered with Bas Rutten in the opening of Legends Gym in Hollywood, California.

Couture is generally recognized as a clinch and ground-and-pound fighter who uses his wrestling ability to execute take downs, establish top position and successively strike the opponent on the bottom. Couture has also displayed a variety of skills in Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; submitting three opponents using different chokeholds. Couture is the only athlete in UFC history to win a championship after becoming a Hall of Fame member and is the oldest title holder ever (in the UFC and MMA). Along with Chuck Liddell, Couture is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American sports and pop culture.

Contents

Early life

Couture was born in Everett, Washington, the son of Sharan and Ed Couture.[5] He wrestled at Alderwood Middle School in Lynnwood, Washington, then moved on to Lynnwood High School, where he won a State Championship during his senior year. Couture served in the U.S. Army from 1982–1988 where he "wrestled and did a little boxing." [6]

Upon discharge, he became a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996); a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials; a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I All-American and a two-time NCAA Division-I runner-up at Oklahoma State University.[7]

In 1992, he was the Division-I runner up at 190 pounds, coming in second after Mark Kerr.[8] Couture was settling into life as a wrestling coach, until he saw a video of a UFC event and decided to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.

Mixed Martial Arts career

UFC, RINGS, and Heavyweight Championship(s)

Couture made his MMA debut at UFC 13[9] in May 1997. He entered the 4-man Heavyweight tournament, his first opponent being Tony Halme, also known as WWE wrestler Ludvig Borga. Outweighted by nearly 100 lbs, Couture scored a double-leg takedown right off the bat. After working some ground and pound, he got a back mount and secured a rear naked choke win in just less than a minute. His second fight that night was in the tournament finals against Steven Graham, yet another larger opponent at 290 lbs. Again Randy took the fight to the ground, scoring a TKO win at 3:13 minutes of the first round.

His next UFC appearance was in October 17, 1997, at UFC 15. He fought Vitor Belfort to determine the number 1 challenger of the Heavyweight belt. Couture was a massive underdog in that fight, as the 19-year-old Belfort was not only a Carlson Gracie blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but also had extremely fast hands and punching power, and was scheduled to compete for the Olympic trials in boxing for Brazil.

Couture put on a display that began to earn him the reputation of a master strategist in the sport. After circling away from Vitor's powerful left hand, Couture got the clinch, but was unable to score a takedown. The fighters broke up, and when Vitor attempted a flurry of punches, Couture changed levels and took the fight to the ground. He immediately gained side control and landed strikes, and as Vitor scrambled to his feet, he also scored with knee strikes. Back on the feet Randy clinched again and wore Vitor out with dirty boxing. Around the 7 minute mark, Vitor was exhausted. Couture yet again took the fight to the ground, and finished with punches from back mount in what was one of the biggest upsets in early MMA history.

His next fight took place on December 21, 1997, at UFC Japan. He fought the then Heavyweight champion, Maurice Smith, who was making his second title defense after winning the belt from Mark Coleman earlier that year. In a slow paced, calculated fight, neither fighter was able to damage the other, but Randy scored several takedowns and had the positional control throughout the fight. After 21 minutes, he won a majority decision and became the new UFC heavyweight champion.

In 1998, the UFC wanted Couture to defend his belt against Bas Rutten, former King of Pancrase. Randy instead signed with Vale Tudo Japan and was stripped of the heavyweight belt. In Japan, he was matched up against Enson Inoue. After taking the fight to the ground, he was forced to tap out to an armbar just more than 90 seconds into the first round. His next fight was in March 20, 1999, for the Japanese Rings promotion. There he suffered a very controversial loss to Mikhail Illoukhine via Kimura, one which many fans blamed on a mistake by the referee. After that loss, Couture took a break from MMA to focus on his amateur wrestling career, with the 2000 Summer Olympics in sight.

He returned to MMA in October 2000 for the Rings King of Kings 2000 Tournament, where he defeated UFC veteran Jeremy Horn by unanimous decision in his first fight and defeated Pancrase veteran Ryushi Yanagisawa, also by unanimous decision, in the second fight. These two wins qualified him for the finals of the tournament, which would take place in early 2001. Before that, he was offered a shot at the UFC heavyweight title against Kevin Randleman in Nov. 17, 2000. Randy was taken down in the first two rounds, but he showed very good defense from his back, frustrating most of Kevin's ground and pound attempts. In the third round, he tripped Randleman to the mat and landed several strikes from the full mount, winning by referee stoppage. Couture had won the UFC heavyweight belt for the second time.

In March 2001, he fought for the finals of the Rings King of Kings 2000 tournament. After dominating UFC veteran Tsuyoshi Kosaka in the first fight, he fought the semi finals against Valentijn Overeem, and was caught in a guillotine choke early in the fight. The tournament was eventually won by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Randy went back to the UFC after that.

His first title defense was against Brazilian Kickboxer Pedro Rizzo at UFC 31. This was also the first UFC event under the Zuffa management, with Dana White as the new president. In one of the best and most brutal fights in MMA history, both fighters inflicted a lot of damage on each other. After five 5-minute rounds, Randy was declared the winner by unanimous decision, which generated a lot of controversy as many fans felt Rizzo had won the fight. This prompted the UFC to set up an immediate rematch between the two, which took place at UFC 34, in November 2001. This time, Randy didn't have many problems, as he had adjusted to Rizzo's style and won a TKO stoppage in the 3rd round. His third title defense was in March 2002, against up-and-comer Josh Barnett. In the second round, Josh got on top of Randy and landed several strikes, winning by TKO. After the fight, it was revealed that Josh had tested positive for anabolic steroids; he was subsequently stripped of his title and left the UFC. Randy was then matched up against Ricco Rodriguez for the vacant UFC heavyweight belt at UFC 39, in late 2002. After dominating the first 3 rounds, the 39-year-old Randy began to show signs of fatigue. In the fifth round, Ricco took him down and landed an elbow strike to the eye, breaking Randy's orbital bone, forcing him to submit. This fight marked the first time a UFC fight was ended via KO, TKO or submission in the fifth round.

Move to Light Heavyweight and trilogy with Liddell

After his two consecutive losses in the heavyweight division to larger opponents, Couture moved down a weight class to fight at 205 lbs in the UFC's light heavyweight division. In his light heavyweight debut, Couture took on long-time number one contender Chuck Liddell for the interim light heavyweight championship. Couture was again the underdog, but after outstriking Chuck for three rounds, he took the fight to the ground, winning by TKO via strikes from the mount position.[10] Couture became the only UFC competitor to win championship titles in two weight classes, earning Couture his nickname "Captain America".[11] His next match was billed as a "Champion vs. Champion" fight in order to settle who was the rightful, undisputed champion of the division. Couture faced the five-time defending champion Tito Ortiz for the undisputed light heavyweight title. Couture won a unanimous decision and became the undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion at age 40.

Couture's first title defense at Light Heavyweight was against Vitor Belfort, whom he had defeated in 1997 at UFC 15. In the first round, as Couture closed the distance to attempt a clinch, Belfort threw a left hook that grazed his right eye. A piece of Belfort's glove caused serious damage, and Vitor was declared the winner by medical stoppage. The rematch took place later that year, with Randy dominating all 3 rounds before winning by medical stoppage due to a cut. This made him a 2-time Light Heavyweight champion, as well as 2-time Heavyweight champion.

On April 16, 2005, Couture lost his title and suffered the first knockout loss of his career in a rematch with Chuck Liddell. Couture came back in August with a win over Mike Van Arsdale to re-establish himself as a top contender. He faced Liddell again for the third and final time in a championship match on February 4, 2006, at UFC 57. He did not succeed, falling to a second round knockout. Immediately after the match, he announced his retirement from the sport.

Couture in 2005

On June 24, 2006, during The Ultimate Fighter 3 finale, which was broadcast live on Spike TV, Couture became the fourth fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, joining Royce Gracie, Dan Severn, and Ken Shamrock.[12]

Retirement

After retiring from the professional fighting circuit, Couture began appearing at UFC events as a regular broadcast commentator and as co-host of "Before/After The Bell" on The Fight Network. He also appeared in the Rob Schneider comedy Big Stan, along with fellow mixed martial artists Don Frye and Bob Sapp.[13]

On Nov. 17, 2006, Couture decided to compete athletically again, facing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in a submission wrestling match. The bout ended in a draw.[14]

Couture was featured on season two of Spike TV's reality show "Pros vs. Joes," which premiered on January 25, 2007. His teammates on the episode were Michael Irvin, Kevin Willis, and José Canseco. He returned for the finale, where he even took part in a football based round. His teammates were Willis, Randall Cunningham, Bruce Smith, Roy Jones Jr. and Tim Hardaway. Couture also had a brief cameo appearance on the season finale of the CBS show The Unit as a military guard and on the film Redbelt as a fight commentator. Couture also appeared on an episode of The History Channel's "Human Weapon" on September 27, 2007, and starred in the 2008 film, "The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior."[15]

Reclaiming the heavyweight title

Couture now trains at his own gym, Xtreme Couture.

On January 11, 2007, Couture appeared for an interview on the Spike TV magazine show, "Inside the UFC", to announce his return from retirement.[16] In a conversation with Joe Rogan, Couture confirmed that he would be facing Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 68 on March 3, 2007 and revealed that he had signed a four-fight, two-year deal with the company.

At the age of 43, Couture defeated then-champion Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 by unanimous decision[17][18] to claim his third UFC heavyweight title. Couture's first punch, at :08 of the first round, sent the 6'8" (2.03m) Sylvia reeling to the mat.[19] Couture controlled the pace of the fight for five rounds, smothering Sylvia with effective striking and numerous takedowns. All three judges' scored the bout 50-45 for Couture,[20] making him the first fighter in UFC history to become a three-time champion.

On August 25, 2007, at UFC 74 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Couture defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga, who previously defeated Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović at UFC 70 to become the number one contender.[21] In the fight, Couture defeated Gonzaga by TKO (strikes) to retain the title. Couture suffered a broken left arm from blocking one of Gonzaga's kicks during the course of the fight.[22] The kick cleanly separated the ulna bone. The injury placed the UFC heavyweight champion’s arm in a splint for six weeks. This would be the least of Couture's worries, as shortly after the fight he would be embroiled in a legal battle with the UFC.

Resignation and dispute with the UFC

On October 11, 2007, Couture announced that he was severing all ties with the UFC, leaving two contracted fights, a position as an on-air analyst, and his heavyweight championship behind. He reportedly received $250,000, plus $936,000 of PPV revenue, for his comeback against Tim Sylvia. He also reportedly received a $250,000 purse for defeating Gabriel Gonzaga, as well as a $35,000 bonus for "Fight of the Night" and $787,000 in PPV revenue.[23] This became a sticking point since Chuck Liddell lost his two previous fights yet is still being paid more, according to Couture. Couture cited the UFC's failure to sign #1 ranked heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko, as well as disputes with UFC management.[24][25]

UFC president Dana White said Thursday Oct. 18, 2007 that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he would not release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract.[26] Couture held a press conference on October 25, 2007 in which he denied his leaving of the UFC was a "retirement," set forth his grievances over the pay he received for his fights against Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga, and reiterated his belief that he would be free from any contractual obligations to the UFC after nine months.[27] On October 30, 2007, White and UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta held another press conference. There White reiterated the UFC's position that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his tendered resignation, and that Couture would remain obligated under his UFC contract well beyond nine months.[28] White also released documents at the press conference to refute Couture's claims about the pay he received.[29] Sherdog.com analyzed language reportedly found in the UFC's standard contracts relating to fighter retirement which Sherdog believes clarifies the dispute over Couture's contractual status.[30]

In another chapter to the Couture/UFC saga, White and Randy Couture met and had a "good" conversation at UFC 78. However, White also met with Couture during the Thanksgiving holiday to discuss a possible return to the Octagon, where Couture said he had no desire to return to the UFC at that time.

Cornering some of his fighters from Xtreme Couture at HDNet Fights on December 15, 2007, in Dallas, Texas, Couture answered questions about Fedor, stating that he would like to fight him in October once his employment contract with the UFC has expired, if the UFC cannot come to some kind of co-promotion agreement with M-1 Global before that time.[31]

On Jan. 15, 2008, Zuffa (the UFC's parent company) filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court in Nevada citing breach of contract and irreparable damage.[32] Zuffa is seeking over $10,000 in damages. This suit concerns only Couture's employment contract and not his promotional contract. On February 28, 2008 Judge Jennifer Togliatti handed down the first ruling in the case of Zuffa v. Randy Couture issuing a preliminary injunction barring Couture's participation in an IFL event to be held the following day.

On August 2, 2008 a Texas appeals court granted Zuffa LLC's request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment in a suit filed by HDNet regarding Randy Couture's contractual status with the UFC. The stay effectively ends the dispute in the state of Texas and Zuffa will be allowed to move forward with the Nevada suit.[33][34]

Return to the UFC

On September 2, 2008, the UFC announced a 3 fight deal with the then 45 year old Randy Couture to return to active competition for the UFC. His first fight back was at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada where he lost his UFC Heavyweight Championship to Brock Lesnar.[35] It was at first a closely contested match; however, later in the fight Lesnar knocked Couture down and finished him with hammer fists for a TKO victory at 3:07 of the second round.[36] In the post fight interview with Joe Rogan, Couture declared his desire to keep fighting. He stated that he felt like he was still becoming a better fighter and blamed his loss on a bad performance, not his age.

Couture has said he still wants to fight former PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko, but has since been unable to, due to UFC contract issues.

Couture has said he'd also drop weight to fight former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida if that's what the UFC wants.[37]

On February 26, 2009, it was reported that Couture had agreed to a bout with former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion and former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 in Portland, OR.[38] In that fight, on August 29, 2009, Couture lost a very competitive bout via unanimous decision. After the bout, Couture stated he felt like he was in the best shape of his life, and that he will wait and see what the UFC has in store for him in the future. The fight received the 'Fight of the Night' award, with both men receiving the bonus.

Return to Light Heavyweight and fight with Toney

After the Nogueira match, Dana White announced Couture had signed a new 28 month/6 fight deal, prior to fighting Nogueira. (In other words, the loss to Nogueira was the first fight under his new contract, which replaced his old contract.)[39]

On November 14, 2009, at UFC 105, Couture defeated Brandon Vera via unanimous decision in his first fight at Light Heavyweight since his loss to Chuck Liddell in 2006.[40][41] At age 46, Couture became the oldest fighter to ever win a fight in the UFC.

Couture fought fellow Hall of Famer Mark Coleman at UFC 109. The bout marked the first time that UFC Hall of Famers fought against each other in the Octagon. The pair were scheduled to meet at UFC 17 in 1998, but a Couture injury forced the cancellation of the bout. The legendary pair wrestled one another in a freestyle match at the 1989 Olympic Festival at Oklahoma State where Coleman won the match by one point. Couture modified his training for this bout focusing on catch wrestling and refining his boxing under coach Gil Martinez.[42] This fight marked the oldest combined age of fighters to go head to head in the UFC. The fight took place at UFC 109: Relentless.[43][44] Couture defeated Coleman via technical submission (rear naked choke) in the second round, which marked the first time in over 4 years that Couture had won via submission.

At the Arnold Sports Festival for WEC 47 on March 6, 2010.

A bout between Couture and Rich Franklin was reported to take place at UFC 115, but Franklin instead fought Chuck Liddell. Dana White later confirmed that multiple time boxing world champion James Toney would fight Couture at UFC 118. Couture dominated the fight, taking down and mounting Toney within seconds of the start of the fight and soon after submitted Toney with an arm triangle choke, this marked the first time that Toney had ever been finished throughout his professional fighting career.

Filmography

Personal life

Couture was previously married to Sharon and Tricia,[53][54] and was recently married to Kim Couture (née Holderman).[55] He has three children, sons Ryan and Caden and daughter Aimee,[56] in addition to a stepson.[57] Politically, he identifies himself with the Republican Party, but he chose not to officially endorse a candidate in the 2008 Presidential Election.[58] Kim and Randy have filed for divorce.[59][60]

Championships and achievements

Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – second place (June 13, 1990)
Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – winner (January 1, 1991)
Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – second place (January 1, 1992)
Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 97 kg – third place (May 21, 1997)
Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 97 kg – second place (March 24, 1998)
Pan American Games Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – winner (August 6, 1991)
FILA test tournament Greco-Roman Seniors 97 kg – third place (March 14, 1998)
FILA World Cup Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – third place (November 9, 1991)
FILA World Cup Greco-Roman Seniors 90 kg – third place (November 21, 1992)
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
Interim UFC Light Heavyweight championship (1 time)
UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament Winner
Fight of the Night (2 Times)
UFC Hall of Fame
Most Championship reigns in UFC history (6 times)
Most Championship fights in UFC history (15 times)
Oldest fighter to win a title in UFC history (43 years, 255 days)
First fighter to hold Championship titles in two weight classes
Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Most Outstanding Fighter (2003)
MMA Most Valuable Fighter (2007)
MMA Most Valuable Fighter of the Decade (2000–2009)[61]
Fight of the Year (2001) vs. Pedro Rizzo on May 4th
Fight of the Year (2007) vs. Tim Sylvia on March 3rd

Mixed martial arts record

Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 19-10 United States James Toney Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 August 28, 2010 1 3:19 United States Boston, Massachusetts Heavyweight bout
Win 18–10 United States Mark Coleman Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 109: Relentless February 6, 2010 2 1:09 United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 17–10 United States Brandon Vera Decision (Unanimous) UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera November 14, 2009 3 5:00 England Manchester, England Return to Light Heavyweight
Loss 16–10 Brazil Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Decision (Unanimous) UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira August 29, 2009 3 5:00 United States Portland, Oregon Fight of the Night
Loss 16–9 United States Brock Lesnar TKO (Strikes) UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar November 15, 2008 2 3:07 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Lost UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 16–8 Brazil Gabriel Gonzaga TKO (Punches) UFC 74: Respect August 25, 2007 3 1:37 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Defended UFC Heavyweight Championship. Fight of The Night
Win 15–8 United States Tim Sylvia Decision (Unanimous) UFC 68: The Uprising March 3, 2007 5 5:00 United States Columbus, Ohio Won UFC Heavyweight Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Fight of the Year
Loss 14–8 United States Chuck Liddell KO (Punches) UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 February 4, 2006 2 1:28 United States Las Vegas, Nevada For UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 14–7 United States Mike Van Arsdale Submission (Anaconda Choke) UFC 54: Boiling Point August 20, 2005 3 0:52 United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 13–7 United States Chuck Liddell KO (Punches) UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2 April 16, 2005 1 2:06 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Lost UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 13–6 Brazil Vitor Belfort TKO (Doctor Stoppage) UFC 49: Unfinished Business August 21, 2004 3 5:00 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Won UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Loss 12–6 Brazil Vitor Belfort TKO (Cut) UFC 46: Supernatural January 31, 2004 1 0:49 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Lost UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 12–5 United States Tito Ortiz Decision (Unanimous) UFC 44: Undisputed September 26, 2003 5 5:00 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Won UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 11–5 United States Chuck Liddell TKO (Punches) UFC 43: Meltdown June 6, 2003 3 2:40 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Won Interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Loss 10–5 United States Ricco Rodriguez TKO (Strikes) UFC 39: The Warriors Return September 27, 2002 5 3:04 United States Uncasville, Connecticut For vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship
Loss 10–4 United States Josh Barnett TKO (Punches) UFC 36: Worlds Collide March 22, 2002 2 4:35 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Lost UFC Heavyweight Championship; Barnett tested positive for steroids.
Win 10–3 Brazil Pedro Rizzo TKO (Strikes) UFC 34: High Voltage November 2, 2001 3 1:38 United States Las Vegas, Nevada Defended UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 9–3 Brazil Pedro Rizzo Decision (Unanimous) UFC 31: Locked and Loaded May 4, 2001 5 5:00 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey Defended UFC Heavyweight Championship, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Fight of the Year
Loss 8–3 Netherlands Valentijn Overeem Submission (Guillotine Choke) RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Final February 24, 2001 1 0:56 Japan Tokyo, Japan King of Kings 2000 Tournament Semifinal
Win 8–2 Japan Tsuyoshi Kohsaka Decision (Unanimous) RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Final February 24, 2001 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan King of Kings 2000 Tournament Quarterfinal
Win 7–2 United States Kevin Randleman TKO (Strikes) UFC 28: High Stakes November 17, 2000 3 4:13 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey Won UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 6–2 Japan Ryushi Yanagisawa Decision (Majority) RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 2000 2 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan King of Kings 2000 Tournament 2nd Round
Win 5–2 United States Jeremy Horn Decision (Unanimous) RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 2000 3 5:00 Japan Tokyo, Japan King of Kings 2000 Tournament 1st Round
Loss 4–2 Russia Mikhail Illoukhine Submission (Kimura) RINGS: Rise 1st March 20, 1999 1 7:43 Japan Japan
Loss 4–1 United States Enson Inoue Submission (Armbar) Vale Tudo Japan 1998 October 25, 1998 1 1:39 Japan Japan
Win 4–0 United States Maurice Smith Decision (Majority) UFC Ultimate Japan December 21, 1997 1 21:00 Japan Yokohama, Japan Won UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 3–0 Brazil Vitor Belfort TKO (Strikes) UFC 15: Collision Course October 17, 1997 1 8:17 United States Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Win 2–0 United States Steven Graham TKO (Strikes) UFC 13: The Ultimate Force May 30, 1997 1 3:13 United States Augusta, Georgia Won UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament
Win 1–0 Finland Tony Halme Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 13: The Ultimate Force May 30, 1997 1 1:00 United States Augusta, Georgia

References

  1. ↑ "Randy "The Natural" Couture MMA Stats". sherdog.com. http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Randy-Couture-166. Retrieved 2010-03-03. 
  2. ↑ Caplan, Sam (November 16, 2008). "The Brock Lesnar Era is Upon Us". FiveOuncesOfPain.com. http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/16/the-brock-lesnar-era-is-upon-us/. Retrieved February 17, 2009. 
  3. ↑ "Randy's resignation rocks UFC." Oct 11, 2007, NBCSports.com. "Couture, who is generally considered by most to be the most popular fighter in MMA history, won his fifth title when..."
  4. ↑ http://randycouture.proelite.com/
  5. ↑ Couture, Randy; Loretta Hunt (2008). Becoming the Natural: My Life in and Out of the Cage. Simon and Schuster. pp. 13, 20. ISBN1416957804. 
  6. ↑ "Randy Couture". UFC. http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Randy_Couture. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  7. ↑ "Sherdog.com Preview: UFC 57 - Liddell-Couture 3". Sherdog. February 3, 2006. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=3927&my_page=10. Retrieved June 28, 2007. 
  8. ↑ ttp://www.cagetoday.com/ufc-officially-announces-randy-couture-vs-brock-lesnar-at-ufc-91/
  9. ↑ "UFC 13's Halme passes: Couture talks about his first UFC opponent". sports.yahoo.com. January 11, 2010. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-13-s-Halme-passes-Couture-talks-about-his-f?urn=mma-212895. 
  10. ↑ "Fight Finder - UFC 43 Meltdown". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=1614. 
  11. ↑ "The Natural.tv - Biography". TheNatural.tv. http://thenatural.tv/content/view/35/36/. 
  12. ↑ http://www.411mania.com/MMA/columns/84733
  13. ↑ "Big Stan (2007)". IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490086/. 
  14. ↑ "Couture & Jacare Fight to a Draw". MMA Weekly. November 18, 2006. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=2963. Retrieved June 28, 2007. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104123/
  16. ↑ Couture returning to challenge Sylvia
  17. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-ufcsixtyeight060909 - UFC 68: Pure magic - UFC - Yahoo! sports
  18. ↑ http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/events/UFC_68__The_Uprising/ - UFC 68: The Uprising - sportsnet.ca
  19. ↑ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/72153-ufc-91-couture-vs-lesnar-randy-has-no-chanceor-does-he
  20. ↑ "Fight Finder - UFC 68 Uprising". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=4662. 
  21. ↑ http://www.ufcmedia.com/randy-couture-vs-gabriel-gonzaga.html
  22. ↑ "UFC News: Couture Breaks Arm, SPIKE Releases The Ultimate Fighter Cast". August 27, 2007. http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/58955/UFC-News:-Couture-Breaks-Arm,-SPIKE-Releases-The-Ultimate-Fighter-Cast.htm. 
  23. ↑ Pugmire, Lance (October 30, 2007). "UFC officials give out Randy Couture salary information". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-ufc31oct31,1,3888506.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-boxing. Retrieved November 1, 2007. 
  24. ↑ Iole, Kevin (October 11, 2007). "Couture stuns MMA world with retirement". Yahoo! Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-couture101107. Retrieved October 11, 2007. 
  25. ↑ Gross, Josh (October 11, 2007). "Exclusive: Couture Talks UFC Resignation". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9455. 
  26. ↑ FOX Sports on MSN - Boxing - UFC's White: Couture's still mine
  27. ↑ Cain, Jeff (October 25, 2007). ""Unappreciated"". MMA Weekly. http://mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4948&zoneid=2. Retrieved November 1, 2007. 
  28. ↑ Cain, Jeff (October 30, 2007). "UFC disputes Couture's claims about his pay". MMA Weekly. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4978&zoneid=13. Retrieved November 1, 2007. 
  29. ↑ Gerbasi, Thomas (October 30, 2007). "UFC releases payment receipts to Couture". Ultimate Fighting Championship. http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=8466. Retrieved November 1, 2007. 
  30. ↑ Swift, Adam (October 31, 2007). "Inside the standard Zuffa contract". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=9734. Retrieved November 1, 2007. 
  31. ↑ "Couture: Could Fight Fedor in October '08". http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=10406. 
  32. ↑ ReviewJournal.com - Sports - Couture is target of UFC lawsuit
  33. ↑ http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=13807
  34. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/news/4963/in-randy-couture-court-case-latest-round-goes-to-ufc.mma
  35. ↑ http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.fightCard&eid=1645
  36. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/lesnar-takes-coutures-title-15178
  37. ↑ "Randy Couture Interview – UFC 102". OnPDX.com. July 14, 2009. http://www.onpdx.com/mma/randy-couture-interview-ufc-102/. Retrieved July 14, 2009. 
  38. ↑ http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8263&zoneid=13
  39. ↑ http://www.cbssports.com/mma/story/12137703
  40. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2009/11/14/ufc-105-brandon-vera-randy-couture-by-decision/
  41. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Randy-Couture-edges-Brandon-Vera-but-not-without?urn=mma,202560
  42. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/01/20/randy-couture-moving-away-from-a-jiu-jitsu-mentality/
  43. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Couture-Coleman-Slated-for-UFC-109-21002
  44. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/news/16888/report-randy-couture-vs-mark-coleman-in-the-works-for-ufc-109.mma
  45. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490086/
  46. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1012804/
  47. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445990/fullcredits#cast
  48. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306685/fullcredits#cast
  49. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0431114/fullcredits#cast
  50. ↑ - EA announced star studded cast for Command and Conquer Red Alert 3
  51. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1115905/
  52. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1026396/
  53. ↑ "Couture readies himself for climb up Mount Sylvia". UFC. January 3, 2007. http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=4631. Retrieved August 1, 2007. 
  54. ↑ "Mentions his second wife Tricia". http://72.14.209.104/search?hl=en&q=cache:V2Yq82G6VIIJ:http://www.mmafighting.com/news/couture020114.html. 
  55. ↑ Tran, Can (June 23, 2007). "Ultimate fighting legend: Randy Couture". Helium. http://www.helium.com/tm/371577/randy-duane-couture-randy. Retrieved June 28, 2007. 
  56. ↑ "Mentions his children". http://72.14.209.104/search?hl=en&q=cache:LswsfnA6C9MJ:http://www.nndb.com/people/893/000140473/. 
  57. ↑ [Stated "on UFC: All Access Randy Couture"]. Stated. 
  58. ↑ http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mma/blog/2008/11/qa_with_randy_couture.html
  59. ↑ "KIM COUTURE PLANS AUGUST RETURN TO FIGHTING". MMAWEEKLY.com. 2009-06-02. http://mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8838&zoneid=13. Retrieved 2009-05-26. 
  60. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Kim-Couture-interview-Divorce-means-it-s-time-t?urn=mma,177821
  61. ↑ Beltrán, William (2010-08-03). "Según el Wrestling Observer… ¿Quiénes son los mejores los mejores de la década?" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2010/08/03/segun-el-wrestling-observer%E2%80%A6-%C2%BFquienes-son-los-mejores-los-mejores-de-la-decada/. Retrieved 2010-08-05. 

External links

Preceded by
Maurice Smith		 3rd UFC Heavyweight Champion
December 21, 1997 – January 1998		 Vacant
Couture stripped of title
Title next held by
Bas Rutten
Preceded by
Kevin Randleman		 6th UFC Heavyweight Champion
November 17, 2000 – March 22, 2002		 Succeeded by
Josh Barnett
New championship 1st Interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
June 6, 2003 – September 26, 2003		 Vacant
Preceded by
Tito Ortiz		 3rd UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
September 26, 2003 – January 31, 2004		 Succeeded by
Vitor Belfort
Preceded by
Vitor Belfort		 5th UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
August 21, 2004 – April 16, 2005		 Succeeded by
Chuck Liddell
Preceded by
Tim Sylvia		 13th UFC Heavyweight Champion
March 3, 2007 – November 15, 2008		 Succeeded by
Brock Lesnar
The Ultimate Fighter - Season 1
Stephan Bonnar · Kenny Florian · Forrest Griffin · Sam Hoger · Alex Karalexis · Josh Koscheck · Chris Leben · Nathan Quarry · Josh Rafferty · Diego Sanchez · Christopher Sanford · Alex Schoenauer · Lodune Sincaid · Bobby Southworth · Mike Swick · Jason Thacker
Coaches: Randy Couture · Chuck Liddell
The Ultimate Fighter - Season 4
Mikey Burnett · Shonie Carter · Rich Clementi · Patrick Côté · Edwin Dewees · Jeremy Jackson · Travis Lutter · Chris Lytle · Charles McCarthy · Gideon Ray · Jorge Rivera · Pete Sell · Matt Serra · Scott Smith · Pete Spratt · Din Thomas
Trainers: Randy Couture · Georges St-Pierre · Mark DellaGrotte · Marc Laimon