| Martial arts have developed over a period spanning | | | | Liddell and a catagoric victory over Tito Ortiz. During |
| centuries, skills and techniques passed from teacher to | | | | these years with the UFC Randy continued to be |
| pupil transcending time and passing through | | | | applauded and admired by the mma public |
| generations. Gradually evolving into the forms of | | | | affectionately being nicknamed "The Natural" and |
| martial arts many practice around the world today. | | | | "Captain America". |
| However, there has been something of a revolution in | | | | After being defeated in his third fight with Chuck Liddell |
| recent years. In the last 15 years many of these styles | | | | in February 2006 Randy announced his retirement |
| have merged producing highly developed modern day | | | | from the UFC, a decision clouded by problems in his |
| mixed martial arts fighters. Fighters that take the best | | | | personal life. |
| elements from various martial arts and merge them to | | | | A little under a year later Randy Appeared on an |
| become better more efficient fighters. | | | | interview on Spike TV and announced his return from |
| If one man symbolizes this development that man is | | | | retirement. He had contacted fight organiser Dana |
| undeniably Randy Couture, a fighter that has | | | | White and expressed his dissatisfaction with heavy |
| consistently performed at the highest level, a fighter | | | | weight division. Dana recognized the benefit Randy |
| that thrills crowds with his ability and commitment whilst | | | | could bring to the Heavyweight division and arranged a |
| conducting himself like a gentleman outside of the ring. | | | | fight with the then Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. |
| Randy's fighting career has been nothing short of | | | | This fight is what I and many other commentators |
| astonishing, after serving in the US army from 1982 to | | | | consider the defining moment in Randy's career. How |
| 1988 he went on to be a three time Olympic team | | | | could Randy ever hope to defeat a 6ft 8 inch Sylvia, a |
| alternate in 1988, 1992 and 1996 before bursting onto | | | | fighter with a weight and reach advantage. A fighter |
| the mixed martial arts scene in 1997. | | | | with an mma impressive record who was an |
| Randy made his UFC debut in May 1997. A fight in | | | | astonishing 13 years younger than Couture. Many |
| which he was viewed by most as an underdog, a | | | | feared this would tarnish Couture's reputation, that he'd |
| card filler and wasn't taken seriously by either the | | | | bitten off more than he could chew and that his return |
| MMA public or rival fighters. Randy however defeated | | | | from retirement would be short lived and |
| both Tony Halme and Steven Graham to win UFC 13. | | | | embarrassing. |
| He then followed this victory by defeating a very | | | | However Randy stunned the mixed martial arts world |
| accomplished Victor Belfort; another fight no-one | | | | by categorically defeating Sylvia at UFC 68. After only |
| expected him to win. | | | | 8 seconds of the very first round Randy landed a |
| This string of victories earnt him a title shot the then | | | | perfectly timed right hook that knocked Sylvia off his |
| heavyweight champion Maurice Smith. Unsurprisingly | | | | feet and went on to dictate the fight over the full five |
| Randy won this fight to become the new | | | | rounds. |
| Heavyweight champion and establish himself as a | | | | Randy had silenced his doubters. He'd done the |
| crowd favourite. Sadly following these victories Randy | | | | impossible. |
| was unable to agree contractual terms with the UFC | | | | He has recently defended his title at UFC 74 by |
| and was controversially stripped of his title. Undeterred | | | | convincingly defeating Gabriel Gonzaga. Another fight |
| and keen to pursue his mixed martial arts career | | | | in which Couture was labeled the under dog. This man |
| Randy signed for the Rings Organization with whom | | | | continues to re-write the rule book, at the age of 44 |
| he fought until his return to the UFC in 2000. | | | | he continues to improve. Entertaining and inspiring a |
| In the years that followed Randy competed in many | | | | generation. |
| memorable and precedent setting fights. Some notable | | | | I for one hope to see Couture fight in a few more |
| moments include winning a striking battle with Chuck | | | | battles. |