Randy Couture quits UFC

[soo2bhuge]

COUTURE QUITS UFC


MMA Icon Walks Away From Promotion In Stunning Move

By Brian Knapp

At the height of its power and popularity, the Ultimate Fighting Championship today lost the man many recognize as the face of mixed martial arts. UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture announced his resignation from the Las Vegas-based promotion, leaving two contracted fights, his job as an on-air analyst and his heavyweight crown on the table.

In South Africa shooting scenes for his lead role in the upcoming feature film “The Scorpion King – Rise of the Akkadian,” Couture made the announcement official in a letter to UFC president Dana White. The UFC’s inability to land PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko played a prominent role in the decision to walk away, according to Couture.

“I appreciate this opportunity the sport of MMA and the UFC has given me,” the UFC Hall-of-Famer said. “However, I’m tired of swimming upstream at this stage with the management of the UFC. It only makes sense at this point in my career to fight Fedor Emelianenko, and since he’s now signed with another organization, I feel like it’s time to resign and focus on my other endeavors.”

His abrupt departure deals a significant blow to the world’s most visible MMA organization. Couture was not only a beloved competitor – White once called him “the greatest fighter in UFC history” – but also a revered spokesman for a company that had long struggled to gain mainstream acceptance.

“Randy’s contract was on a fight-by-fight basis, and that’s the way he said he was always going to take it – fight by fight,” said Matt Walker, Couture’s agent at The Gersh Agency. “His acting career is accelerating at an astronomical rate, and without the support he felt some of his peers were receiving in the fight business, this was the logical choice.”

A three-time All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, Couture won four national championships in Greco-Roman wrestling and made four attempts at qualifying for the Olympics. He made his MMA debut at UFC 13 on May 13, 1997, where, at age 33, he won a heavyweight tournament, defeating Tony Halme and Steven Graham on the same night. Just seven months later, he toppled famed kickboxer Maurice Smith in Yokohama, Japan to win the UFC heavyweight crown for the first time.

Over the course of the next decade, Couture emerged as one of the most decorated mixed martial artists in history. The UFC’s only six-time champion, he captured the heavyweight belt three times, the light heavyweight title twice and an interim light heavyweight title, as well. Couture remains the only man to win UFC championships in two weight classes.

His run through the promotion included a memorable trilogy with light heavyweight rival Chuck Liddell, the only opponent to beat Couture twice. Following his third bout with Liddell in February 2006, Couture announced his first retirement.

As 2007 dawned, his desire to compete returned, and a four-fight contract with the UFC – which included the opportunity to fight Tim Sylvia for the heavyweight strap at UFC 68 in March – was presented to Couture. He accepted, and the wheels for an historic comeback were set in motion.

Couture floored Sylvia with an overhand right seconds into the bout and punished the 6-foot-8 giant over five rounds. Playing to chants of “Randy!” he regained the heavyweight title for an unprecedented third time in front of 19,049 fans at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Five months later, at the age of 44, he defeated rising contender Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74, stopping the young Brazilian by third-round TKO despite suffering a broken left arm. It would be his final appearance in the Octagon.

Couture (16-8) leaves behind an unrivaled legacy in the sport. Fifteen of his 24 career bouts were title fights, and he bested six former UFC champions – Liddell, Vitor Belfort, Tito Ortiz and Sylvia among them. Always willing to meet a challenge, Couture consistently tested himself against the world’s premier fighters. The 19 men he fought (he squared off with Pedro Rizzo twice and Liddell and Belfort three times each) hold 357 victories between them.

[Sepsis]

is this for real? wow. didnt see that one coming

[RANA]

I saw it coming but not this soon

[bpm1]

sad day, bet he comes back though,AGAIN!,lol

[Lexed]

he has no one in his ranking only fedor would be a true match so with fedor in different org no point in staying since he has beat everyone. IM guessing as soon as fedor beats the top contender in his org then he will quit too

[ftony]

he has no one in his ranking only fedor would be a true match so with fedor in different org no point in staying since he has beat everyone. IM guessing as soon as fedor beats the top contender in his org then he will quit too

yep, i agree .I stated this in another post they had him fighting backwards, fedor was the big fight leading him to the promise land.....To bad randy didnt get what he wanted....

[Lexed]

since Couture left UFC maybe he will sign up a 1 fight deal with M-1 against fedor

[torontodude]

Couture is the man!!! You never know he just might come back for one more fight....well at least i hope he does.

[goose]

since Couture left UFC maybe he will sign up a 1 fight deal with M-1 against fedor

That what he is looking for.

Tell you what,if fedor beats him.I think fedor should retire.Would go down as the best of all time,and be at that list for years and years.

[soo2bhuge]

since Couture left UFC maybe he will sign up a 1 fight deal with M-1 against fedor

that's what i'm guessing too. According to M-1, Fedor is fighting someone in January or February either in Russia or the US. I have a feeling it'll be Couture.

[TR'05]

Couture is still under contract with the UFC (9 more months)...No chance the UFC lets him fight before it has expired.

[J-Dogg]

Everyone wants to see Fedor/Randy and Wandi/Liddell but they just can't seem to pull these fights together.

[soo2bhuge]

Everyone wants to see Fedor/Randy and Wandi/Liddell but they just can't seem to pull these fights together.

According to UFC, Wandi and Liddell have officially verbally agreed to the fight for December.

[J-Dogg]

According to UFC, Wandi and Liddell have officially verbally agreed to the fight for December.

Someone gets injured in practice i bet!

I actually am sick of "fighter X" loosing to "fighter W" so "X" can't fight "Z" because he lost to "W". I know it is confusing.

I don't think for example Forrest should fight rampage because he beat Shogun.

I'm more intrested in who Henderson fights next rather than who Forrest fights.

I could care less if Jardine fights again. If he does, I hope it is Forrest again and they could use it for a introductory fight for a main event.

Those fighters just don't have any appeal for me.

[MuscleScience]

I thought fedor signed with bodog

[$$TML 4 LIFE$$]

Couture still has some legit heavyweights in the ufc division to face....Unlike u guys im not agreein with couture, I think it was a dumb decision and hope he gets booed n e time his name is mentioned, im so dissapointed Hes no longer 1 of my favourite fighters......I knows its harsh but it pisses me off and thats just how i feel

[BG]

I think Gonzaga can beat them both.

[D-Bo Dre]

Couture still has some legit heavyweights in the ufc division to face....Unlike u guys im not agreein with couture, I think it was a dumb decision and hope he gets booed n e time his name is mentioned, im so dissapointed Hes no longer 1 of my favourite fighters......I knows its harsh but it pisses me off and thats just how i feel

I agree to an extent.. I mean you come back from retirement, sign a contract to fight a few fights, and then decide you want to be an actor while on top?!? If you want to come back from retirement for a memorable comeback at least honor your contract then retire.. Wizzack if u ask me!

I guess I'm just upset b/c I would of loved to watch the guy fight a few more times.. Captain America Dont Go Hollywood on us!!

[ThePhoenix]

i did not see that coming-- guess it is good to leave on top though

[BG]

i did not see that coming-- guess it is good to leave on top though

I think he knows god gave him a free-bee against Gonzaga and figured run while he can. The gonzaga fight wouldnt have made it through the first round with out the broken nose. Not taken anything away from Randy, love the guy, but I dont think he wanted to step back inthe octagon with Gonzaga again.

[pepperoni]

I think he knows god gave him a free-bee against Gonzaga and figured run while he can. The gonzaga fight wouldnt have made it through the first round with out the broken nose. Not taken anything away from Randy, love the guy, but I dont think he wanted to step back inthe octagon with Gonzaga again.

I dont recall Randy ever being in danger in the fight.

[Lexed]

he did take some kicks to the head but couture had the whole fight

[Logan13]

I dont recall Randy ever being in danger in the fight.

no shit..........that was a one-sided fight.

[abombing]

If this is true I can't blame the guy. He's probably making a killing @ his new gym, and is probably sick of getting beat up to make a buck. Also probably sick of the UFC brass.

[BG]

I dont recall Randy ever being in danger in the fight.

The first punch Gonzaga threw almost put randy down , then the kick was just off abit from being a Cro-Cop repeat. Gonzaga will be heavy weight champ very soon and with out Fedor he will not have much of a challenge imo.

[BG]

he did take some kicks to the head but couture had the whole fight

He had the whole fight cuz Gonzaga couldnt breath nor see, ever have blood pour down your throat from your nose, makes you sick to your stomach. You will see.

[Logan13]

He had the whole fight cuz Gonzaga couldnt breath nor see, ever have blood pour down your throat from your nose, makes you sick to your stomach. You will see.

I like Vera's chances.........

[BG]

I like Vera's chances.........

Na, you'll see him at 205 soon enough.

[Fat Guy]

that's too bad