Randy Couture

Lore & Background

Couture was born in Everett, Washington, the son of Sharan Amelia (née King) and Edward Lewis 'Ed' Couture. He wrestled at Lynnwood High School in Lynnwood, Washington, where he won a state championship during his senior year in wrestling. Afterwards he served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1988, attaining the rank of Sergeant in the 101st Airborne, where he 'wrestled and did a little boxing.' While in the Army he applied for tryouts with the U.S. Army freestyle wrestling team; however, due to a clerical error his application was sent to the Greco-Roman wrestling tryouts and he decided to pursue it. He went on to win the U.S. Army Europe title and made the All-Army team. Upon discharge, Couture became a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996), a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials, a three-time NCAA Division I All-American and a two-time NCAA Division I runner-up (1991 and 1992) at Oklahoma State University. In 1992, he was the Division I runner-up at 190 pounds (86 kg), coming in second after Mark Kerr. From 1989 to 1992 he accumulated a collegiate wrestling record of 113-42. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in literature.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed against the silence of a packed crowd in Las Vegas. At forty-three years old, Randy Couture stood in the corner, his face a map of scars earned over twenty years of violence. The referee raised his hand for the final time; he had just knocked out a younger opponent who seemed destined to end his career. There was no celebration, only the quiet nod of a man who knew he had done what few could: conquered time itself.

Reader's Guide

Couture is generally recognized as a clinch and ground-and-pound fighter who uses his wrestling ability to execute takedowns, establish top position and successively strike the opponent on the bottom. He has displayed a variety of skills in boxing and catch wrestling. He is the only UFC fighter to win a championship after becoming a Hall-of-Famer and is the oldest champion in MMA history at age 45.

Did You Know?

• Couture has competed in 15 title fights.
• He is tied for the record for the most wins in UFC Heavyweight Championship bouts (6) with former UFC Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.
• He had the most title reigns in the UFC, with six.
• His last fight with Lyoto Machida marked his 24th fight in the UFC.
• He is the fourth member of the UFC Hall of Fame.