theragingbull
01-18-2007, 04:39 AM
Randy Couture returns from retirement
Will Captain America continue to defy father time?
"This is the last time you're gonna see these gloves and these shorts in this Octagon. I'm retiring tonight," said Randy "The Natural" Couture on February 6, 2006.
At 42 years old, Couture decided to explore other ventures after over 25 years of competing in wrestling, submission grappling, and the sport he propelled into the national spotlight-mixed martial arts.
The Washington born, Oregon-based Couture kept up as frantic a pace in retirement as he did in the Octagon. "The Natural" demonstrated his verbal talents by commentating for the UFC and Canadian television's Fight Network. He opened up Legends MMA Gym with King of Pancrase Bas Rutten, while developing a clothing brand, a line of nutritional supplements, and an acting career. He is on the verge of opening two more world-class gyms in Washington and Nevada in addition to working with Team Quest, the MMA gym he co-founded.
A former serviceman in the Army, Couture is known for his charisma and class. He hopes these two shining traits will follow him in his ambassadorship to the 28 states yet to sanction the sport of mixed martial arts. Couture's goal is to unify rules for mixed martial arts in North America and prove that the sport is legitimate and safe.
But competition is where Couture thrives. The UFC Hall of Famer battled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Ronaldo "Jacre" Souza to a draw on November 17, 2006 in a submission grappling competition. The rumor floodgates were broken down. Couture's return to MMA dominated conversations.
Retirement always lingered over Couture's nine-year MMA career. The former All-American wrestler entered the Octagon for the first time at age 33 merely nine months after learning mixed martial arts existed. In 1997, Couture's ground and pound led to a stoppage of both his opponent-a heavily favored 19-year-old "Phenom" Vitor Belfort-and talk of "being too old."
Couture went on to win the heavyweight championship on two separate occasions against Kickboxing legend Maurice Smith and former Buckeye Kevin "The Monster" Randleman until a new breed of oversized heavyweights, Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez, overwhelmed the 230 lbs Couture right out of the division.
At forty-years old, Couture dropped to the light heavyweight division (205 lbs) to fight Chuck Liddell for the title-a fight Couture was determined to win, but favored to lose.
Couture won the fight standing against the devastating striker. As Couture berated Liddell with punches, announcer Joe Rogan yelped "Randy Couture is my hero!" Couture defied his critics and age again. This Rocky-like upset earned him the nickname "Captain America"-the superhero who does not age.
Couture went on to literally spank Tito Ortiz, cementing his MMA legacy, before losing two straight to Liddell and retiring after their legendary trilogy concluded.
At 43 years old, after a year of retirement, Couture announced his return to the Octagon-a statement more shocking than his initial retirement. His contract is a four fight deal over two-years. Couture was deemed too old at 33.
His first fight back in the Octagon is against heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia on March 3, 2007 in Ohio. Sylvia is the largest heavyweight the UFC has ever seen. Couture looks to conquer the monsters that forced him out of the division.
However, his biggest fight will be with his oldest foe-his age.
Will Captain America continue to defy father time?
"This is the last time you're gonna see these gloves and these shorts in this Octagon. I'm retiring tonight," said Randy "The Natural" Couture on February 6, 2006.
At 42 years old, Couture decided to explore other ventures after over 25 years of competing in wrestling, submission grappling, and the sport he propelled into the national spotlight-mixed martial arts.
The Washington born, Oregon-based Couture kept up as frantic a pace in retirement as he did in the Octagon. "The Natural" demonstrated his verbal talents by commentating for the UFC and Canadian television's Fight Network. He opened up Legends MMA Gym with King of Pancrase Bas Rutten, while developing a clothing brand, a line of nutritional supplements, and an acting career. He is on the verge of opening two more world-class gyms in Washington and Nevada in addition to working with Team Quest, the MMA gym he co-founded.
A former serviceman in the Army, Couture is known for his charisma and class. He hopes these two shining traits will follow him in his ambassadorship to the 28 states yet to sanction the sport of mixed martial arts. Couture's goal is to unify rules for mixed martial arts in North America and prove that the sport is legitimate and safe.
But competition is where Couture thrives. The UFC Hall of Famer battled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Ronaldo "Jacre" Souza to a draw on November 17, 2006 in a submission grappling competition. The rumor floodgates were broken down. Couture's return to MMA dominated conversations.
Retirement always lingered over Couture's nine-year MMA career. The former All-American wrestler entered the Octagon for the first time at age 33 merely nine months after learning mixed martial arts existed. In 1997, Couture's ground and pound led to a stoppage of both his opponent-a heavily favored 19-year-old "Phenom" Vitor Belfort-and talk of "being too old."
Couture went on to win the heavyweight championship on two separate occasions against Kickboxing legend Maurice Smith and former Buckeye Kevin "The Monster" Randleman until a new breed of oversized heavyweights, Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez, overwhelmed the 230 lbs Couture right out of the division.
At forty-years old, Couture dropped to the light heavyweight division (205 lbs) to fight Chuck Liddell for the title-a fight Couture was determined to win, but favored to lose.
Couture won the fight standing against the devastating striker. As Couture berated Liddell with punches, announcer Joe Rogan yelped "Randy Couture is my hero!" Couture defied his critics and age again. This Rocky-like upset earned him the nickname "Captain America"-the superhero who does not age.
Couture went on to literally spank Tito Ortiz, cementing his MMA legacy, before losing two straight to Liddell and retiring after their legendary trilogy concluded.
At 43 years old, after a year of retirement, Couture announced his return to the Octagon-a statement more shocking than his initial retirement. His contract is a four fight deal over two-years. Couture was deemed too old at 33.
His first fight back in the Octagon is against heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia on March 3, 2007 in Ohio. Sylvia is the largest heavyweight the UFC has ever seen. Couture looks to conquer the monsters that forced him out of the division.
However, his biggest fight will be with his oldest foe-his age.