Randy Couture facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Randy Couture
Couture in 2012
Born	Randall Duane Couture (1963-06-22) June 22, 1963 (age 62) Everett, Washington, U.S.
Other names	The Natural
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Division	Heavyweight (1997–2003; 2007–2009; 2010) Light Heavyweight (2003–2006; 2009–2011)
Reach	75 in (191 cm)
Style	Greco-Roman Wrestling
Fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Team	Team Quest (1999–2006) Xtreme Couture (2006–2011)
Rank	Black belt in Neil Melanson's Submission wrestling System
Wrestling	NCAA Division I Wrestling Olympic Alternate Greco-Roman Wrestling
Years active	1997–2011
Mixed martial arts record
Total	30
Wins	19
By knockout	7
By submission	4
By decision	8
Losses	11
By knockout	7
By submission	3
By decision	1
University	Oklahoma State University
Notable relatives	Ryan Couture (son)
Notable school(s)	Lynnwood High School
Medal record Men's Greco-Roman Wrestling Representing the  United States Pan American Games Gold 1991 Havana 90 kg Pan American Championships Gold 1991 Havana 90 kg Silver 1990 Colorado Springs 90 kg Silver 1992 Albany 90 kg Silver 1998 Winnipeg 97 kg Bronze 1997 San Juan 97 kg World Cup Bronze 1991 Toledo 90 kg Bronze 1992 Moscow 90 kg Collegiate Wrestling Representing the Oklahoma State Cowboys NCAA Division I Championships Silver 1991 Iowa City 190 lb Silver 1992 Oklahoma City 190 lb
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1982–1988
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	101st Airborne Division
Other work	Professional mixed martial arts
last updated on: August 28, 2010

Randall Duane Couture (born June 22, 1963) is an American sports commentator, actor, and former soldier. He is most famous for his career in mixed martial arts (MMA). Randy Couture became a legend in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He won championships in two different weight classes. He was a three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion and a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. This made him a six-time UFC Champion overall. He also won the UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament.

Randy Couture was the first fighter to hold two UFC championship titles in different divisions. He competed in a record 16 title fights. He is tied for the most wins in UFC Heavyweight Championship fights. He also holds the record for the most title reigns in the UFC, with six. He is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He is one of only two fighters over 40 to win a UFC championship fight. He won four times after turning 40. He is also the only MMA champion to regain a title three times after losing it.

Before his MMA career, Couture was an alternate for the Olympic Games wrestling team. He also coached wrestling and strength at Oregon State University. He helped start Team Quest, a training camp for fighters. Later, he opened his own chain of gyms called Xtreme Couture.

Couture is known for his wrestling skills. He uses takedowns to get opponents to the ground. Then he uses "ground-and-pound" techniques, which means striking them while on the ground. He also has good skills in boxing and catch wrestling. He is the oldest champion in MMA history, winning a title at 43 years old.

Early Life and Wrestling Career

Randy Couture was born in Everett, Washington. He started wrestling in middle school. He continued wrestling at Lynnwood High School. In his senior year, he won a State Championship in wrestling.

From 1982 to 1988, he served in the United States Army. He became a Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division. While in the Army, he wrestled and did some boxing. He tried out for the U.S. Army Freestyle Wrestling team. By mistake, his application went to the Greco-Roman tryouts. He decided to try it anyway and made the team.

After leaving the Army, Couture became an Olympic wrestling alternate three times. He was also a top college wrestler at Oklahoma State University. He was an NCAA Division I All-American three times. He finished second in the NCAA Division I championships twice.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Starting in the UFC and RINGS

Randy Couture made his professional MMA debut at UFC 13 in 1997. He joined a four-man heavyweight tournament. In his first fight, he quickly defeated Tony Halme. Halme was much heavier than him. Couture used a double-leg takedown and won with a submission. He then won the tournament by defeating Steven Graham.

At UFC 15, Couture fought Vitor Belfort. The winner would get a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Many people thought Belfort would win. But Couture used his wrestling skills to take Belfort down. He landed strikes and wore Belfort out. Couture won by TKO, which was a big surprise at the time.

On December 21, 1997, Couture challenged Maurice Smith for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Couture won by decision after taking Smith down many times. This made him the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.

In 1998, Couture left the UFC for a short time. He fought in Japan for other organizations. He had a match against Enson Inoue and lost by armbar. He also fought in RINGS and lost to Mikhail Illoukhine. After these fights, he took a break from MMA. He wanted to focus on his amateur wrestling.

Returning to the UFC and Winning More Titles

Couture came back to MMA in 2000. He joined the RINGS King of Kings Tournament. He won two fights and qualified for the finals. Before the finals, he was offered another chance at the UFC Heavyweight Championship. He fought Kevin Randleman at UFC 28. Couture won by TKO in the third round. This made him a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion.

He then defended his title against Pedro Rizzo at UFC 31. It was a tough fight, but Couture won by decision. Because the fight was so close, they had a rematch at UFC 34. Couture won the rematch more clearly by TKO.

In 2002, Couture lost his title to Josh Barnett. Barnett later tested positive for banned substances. So, he was stripped of the title. Couture then fought Ricco Rodriguez for the vacant title. Couture was winning early, but he got tired. Rodriguez won in the fifth round.

Moving to Light Heavyweight

After two losses in the heavyweight division, Couture decided to move to a lighter weight class. He moved to the light heavyweight division. In his first fight at this weight, he fought Chuck Liddell for an interim title. Couture was again seen as the underdog. But he won by TKO, becoming the first UFC fighter to win titles in two different weight classes.

His next fight was against the champion, Tito Ortiz. Couture won by decision and became the undisputed UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Couture then fought Vitor Belfort again. Belfort won the first fight when a cut on Couture's eye stopped the match. They had a third fight later that year. Couture won this time, also by doctor stoppage due to a cut. This made him a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

In 2005, Couture lost his title to Chuck Liddell in a rematch. He then defeated Mike van Arsdale. He faced Liddell one last time in 2006. Couture lost by knockout. After this fight, he announced he was retiring from MMA.

On June 24, 2006, Randy Couture was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He was the fourth person to receive this honor.

Coming Out of Retirement

In 2007, Randy Couture announced he was coming out of retirement. He would fight Tim Sylvia for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Couture was 43 years old. At UFC 68, he defeated Sylvia by unanimous decision. This made him UFC Heavyweight Champion for a third time, which was a UFC record.

He successfully defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74. Couture won by TKO. During this fight, he broke his left arm blocking a kick.

Randy Couture later had some disagreements with the UFC. He stepped away from fighting for a while. He focused on coaching fighters at his gym, Xtreme Couture.

Return to the UFC and Final Fights

In 2008, Couture returned to the UFC. He fought Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Lesnar won the fight by TKO. Couture then fought Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2009 and lost by decision. This fight won the "Fight of the Night" award.

Couture then moved back to the light heavyweight division. At UFC 105, he defeated Brandon Vera. At 46 years old, Couture became the oldest fighter to win a UFC bout.

He then fought fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman at UFC 109. This was the first time two UFC Hall of Famers fought each other. Couture won by submission in the second round.

Couture's next fight was against three-time boxing world champion James Toney at UFC 118. Couture quickly took Toney down and won by submission.

His final fight was against Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in 2011. Couture had said this would be his last fight. Machida won by knockout in the second round. After the fight, Couture announced he was "finally done fighting" at 47 years old.

Bellator Fighting Championships

In 2013, Couture signed with Bellator. He became a coach on their reality show, Fight Master: Bellator MMA. He also did commentary for some Bellator events.

Acting Career

Randy Couture has had a successful acting career. He has appeared in many films and TV shows. He had a small role in the film Today You Die. He also appeared on the TV show The Unit.

He played a fight commentator in the movie Redbelt. He starred in The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior. One of his most famous roles is Toll Road in The Expendables movie series. He has been in all four Expendables films.

Couture also appeared in the film Setup with 50 Cent and Bruce Willis. In 2012, he played the main role in the action film Hijacked.

In 2014, he competed on Dancing with the Stars. He was paired with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff. He also appeared in four episodes of the TV series Hawaii Five-0.

In 2019, Couture starred in the movie The Hard Way. He also appeared in Outlaw Johnny Black.

Personal Life

Randy Couture has three children: Aimee, Ryan, and Caden. He also has four grandchildren. He lives in Las Vegas. He enjoys hunting.

In 2012, Randy Couture was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

In October 2019, Couture had a heart attack after training. He walked himself to a nearby hospital. He had a successful operation and made a full recovery.

Achievements and Awards

Wrestling Achievements

• Pan American Games
  • Won gold medals in Greco-Roman wrestling in 1991.
  • Won silver medals in 1990, 1992, and 1998.
  • Won a bronze medal in 1997.
• FILA Wrestling World Championships
  • Won bronze medals in the World Cup in 1991 and 1992.

College Wrestling Achievements

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • Named an All-American in 1990, 1991, and 1992.
  • Finished as runner-up in the NCAA Division I championships in 1991 and 1992.

Mixed Martial Arts Achievements

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006.
  • Won the UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament.
  • Won the UFC Heavyweight Championship three times. He defended the title successfully three times.
  • Won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship two times.
  • Won the Interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship once.
  • He was the first fighter to win titles in two different weight classes in the UFC.
  • He is the only fighter to win back a title after losing it three times (twice at Heavyweight, once at Light Heavyweight).
  • He is tied for the second most championship fights in UFC history (15).
  • He holds the record for the most championship reigns in UFC history (6).
  • He is the oldest fighter to be a champion in UFC history (45 years old).
  • He is the oldest fighter to win a championship in UFC history (43 years old).
  • He is the oldest fighter to successfully defend a championship (44 years old).
  • He is tied for the most main event fights in UFC history (18).
  • He is the oldest fighter to win a fight in UFC history (47 years old).
  • Received "Fight of the Night" awards two times.

• Other Awards
  • Named "Full-Contact Competitor of the Year" by Black Belt Magazine in 1997.
  • Inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame.
  • Won "Fight of the Year" in 2001 (vs. Pedro Rizzo) and 2009 (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira) by Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Inside Fights.
  • Named "Most Outstanding Fighter" in 2003 and "MMA Most Valuable Fighter" in 2007 by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  • Named "MMA Most Valuable Fighter of the Decade" (2000s) by Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
  • Received the "Outstanding Contribution to MMA Award" at the World MMA Awards in 2010.

Mixed martial arts record

Filmography

Key

Denotes works that have not yet been released

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Randy Couture para niños

Images for kids

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  Couture in 2005

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  Couture now trains at his own gym, Xtreme Couture.

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