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