View source for Randy Couture

{{short description|American Greco-Roman wrestler and mixed martial artist}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Randy Couture
| other_names     = The Natural
| image           = File:Randy_Couture_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg
| caption         = Couture in 2012
| birth_name = Randall Duane Couture 
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1963|6|22}}
| birth_place     = [[Everett, Washington]], U.S.
| residence       = [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], U.S.
| height_ft       = 6
| height_in       = 1
| weight_lb       = 203 
| weight_class    = [[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] (2003–2006; 2009–2011)<br />[[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] (1997–2003; 2007–2009; 2010)
| reach_in        = 75

| style           = [[Greco-Roman Wrestling]]
| fighting_out_of = [[Corvallis, Oregon]], U.S.
| team            = [[Team Quest]] (1999–2006)<br>[[Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts|Xtreme Couture]] (2006–2011)
| rank            = Black belt in [[Neil Melanson]]'s [[Submission wrestling]] System
| wrestling       = [[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] [[Wrestling]] <br> [[Olympic Games|Olympic Alternate]] [[Greco-Roman Wrestling]] 
| years_active    = 1997–2011
| mma_kowin       = 7
| mma_subwin      = 4
| mma_decwin      = 8
| mma_koloss      = 7
| mma_subloss     = 3
| mma_decloss     = 1
| university      = [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|Oklahoma State University]]
| relatives       = [[Ryan Couture]] (son)
| school          = [[Lynnwood High School]]
| website         = {{URL|randycouture.com}}
| sherdog         = 166
| module2         = {{Infobox military person
| embed           = yes
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears= 1982–1988
|rank= [[File:Army-USA-OR-05-2015.svg|24px]] [[Sergeant (United States)|Sergeant]]
|unit= [[File:US 101st Airborne Division patch.svg|24px]] [[101st Airborne Division]]
|laterwork= Professional [[mixed martial arts]]
}}
|medaltemplates={{MedalSport | Men's [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman Wrestling]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1991 Pan American Games|1991 Havana]] | [[Wrestling at the 1991 Pan American Games|90 kg]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Wrestling Championships|Pan American Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1991 Havana|90 kg}}
{{MedalSilver|1990 Colorado Springs |90 kg}}
{{MedalSilver|1992 Albany |90 kg}}
{{MedalSilver|1998 Winnipeg|97 kg}}
{{MedalBronze|1997 San Juan|97 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Wrestling World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|1991 Toledo|90 kg}}
{{MedalBronze|1992 Moscow|90 kg}}
{{MedalSport | [[Collegiate Wrestling]]}}{{MedalCountry | the}} [[Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls|Oklahoma State Cowboys]] {{MedalCompetition|[[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I Championships]]}} {{MedalSilver|1991 Iowa City|190 lb}} {{MedalSilver|1992 Oklahoma City|190 lb}}
}}

'''Randall Duane Couture''' ({{IPAc-en|k|oʊ|ˈ|t|ʊər}}; born June 22, 1963) is an American [[mixed martial arts]] commentator, actor, former [[United States Army]] [[sergeant]], former professional mixed martial artist, and former [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiate]] and [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman wrestler]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-25 |title=Randy Couture - Oklahoma State University |url=https://cas.okstate.edu/alumni/hall_of_fame/couture_randy.html |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=cas.okstate.edu |language=en}}</ref> During his tenures in the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] (UFC), he became a three-time [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]], two-time [[List of UFC champions|UFC Light Heavyweight Champion]], an interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, making him a six-time UFC Champion and the [[List of UFC champions#Tournament winners|UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament winner]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1678239,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101034710/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1678239,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2007 |title=Ultimate Fighting's Ultimate Fight |last=Poole |first=Gary Andrew |date=October 31, 2007 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bio Randy Coutoure 2012 – ISHOF {{!}} International Sports Hall of Fame {{!}} United States |url=https://sportshof.org/bio-randy-coutoure-2012/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> He is the first fighter in history to win a UFC championship in two different divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of 'Champ Champs' |url=https://www.ufc.com/news/history-of-champ-champs-ufc-284-makhachev-volkanovski-couture-penn-st-pierre-gsp-conor-mcgregor-daniel-cormier-amanda-nunes-henry-cejudo-read |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623093007/https://www.ufc.com/news/history-of-champ-champs-ufc-284-makhachev-volkanovski-couture-penn-st-pierre-gsp-conor-mcgregor-daniel-cormier-amanda-nunes-henry-cejudo-read |archive-date=2025-06-23 |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=UFC |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> {{asof|2025}} he serves as a commentator and analyst for the [[Professional Fighters League]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC legend Randy Couture released from burn center after serious car crash while training for NHRA debut |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-legend-randy-couture-released-from-burn-center-after-serious-car-crash-while-training-for-nhra-debut/amp/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=www.cbssports.com |date=16 July 2025 }}</ref>

Couture has competed in 16 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Mike |title=UFC 252 post-event facts: Stipe Miocic strengthens GOAT case with trilogy win |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2020/08/16/ufc-252-post-event-facts-stipe-miocic-heavyweight-champion-records-title-daniel-cormier/81753362007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> 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]]. He is one of only two fighters over the age of 40 to have won a UFC championship fight,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Sportsnet |date=2025-07-10 |title=Report: MMA legend Randy Couture airlifted to hospital after single-car crash |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/ufc/article/report-mma-legend-randy-couture-airlifted-to-hospital-after-single-car-crash/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Sportsnet.ca |language=en}}</ref> having done so four times. He is one of the few MMA champions to regain a title he had lost, and the only to have done it three times (twice at heavyweight, once at light heavyweight).<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 UFC Fighters Won the Same Championship More than Once |url=https://verdictmma.com/news/[...slug] |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=verdictmma.com |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Couture was an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] wrestling alternate and has lived in [[Corvallis, Oregon]] throughout much of his career, where he served as an assistant wrestling coach and a strength and conditioning coach for [[Oregon State University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://randycouture.proelite.com/|title=Welcome to ProElite.com|access-date=2008-11-14|archive-date=2007-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418144227/http://randycouture.proelite.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He established [[Team Quest]] with [[Matt Lindland]] and [[Dan Henderson]], a training camp for fighters, based out of [[Gresham, Oregon]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Staff |title=Winding road leads UFC fighter 'home' |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/sports/2009/08/28/oth-546105-shtml/14624721007/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=The Augusta Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-29 |title=Couture to return to his roots, fans |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2009/08/29/couture-to-return-to-his-roots-fans/amp/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> and headed by coach Robert Folis. In 2005, he moved to Las Vegas, where he opened his own extensive chain of gyms under the name [[Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts|Xtreme Couture]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weekly |first=M. M. A. |date=2012-12-17 |title=With Founding Members Gone, Xtreme Couture Experiences a Changing of the Guard |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/founding-members-gone-xtreme-couture-001508798--mma.html |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> He partnered with [[Bas Rutten]] to open Legends Gym in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legends Couture And Rutten Launch Hollywood Gym |url=http://fcfighter.com/legends-couture-and-rutten-launch-hollywood-gym/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Full Contact Fighter}}</ref>

Couture is generally recognized as a [[Mixed martial arts#Strategies#Clinch fighting|clinch]] and [[Mixed martial arts|ground-and-pound]] fighter who uses his wrestling ability to execute [[takedown (grappling)|take downs]], establish [[grappling position|top position]] and successively strike the opponent on the bottom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No Stone Left Unturned in Couture's Prep |url=https://www.ufcespanol.com/news/no-stone-left-unturned-coutures-prep |access-date=July 22, 2025 |website=UFCEspanol.com}}</ref> 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 [[UFC Hall of Fame|Hall-of-Fame]]r and is the oldest champion in MMA history at age 45.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sumian |first=Andrew |date=2022-04-07 |title=12 Oldest UFC Champions Ever, Ranked By Age |url=https://www.thesportster.com/oldest-ufc-champions-ever-ranked-by-age/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref>

==Background==
Couture was born in [[Everett, Washington]], the son of Sharan Amelia (née King) and Edward Lewis "Ed" Couture.<ref>{{cite book|last=Couture|first=Randy|author2=Loretta Hunt |title=Becoming the Natural: My Life in and Out of the Cage|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2008|pages=13, 20|isbn=978-1-4169-5780-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://records.ancestry.com/randy_duane_couture_records.ashx?pid=116994968|title=Randy Duane Couture, father of 2 - Ancestry}}</ref> He [[Scholastic wrestling|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 Division|101st Airborne]], where he "wrestled and did a little boxing."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Randy_Couture|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804214734/http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Randy_Couture|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 4, 2010|title=Randy Couture|work=UFC|access-date=September 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.veteransmagazine.com/membersarea/MagazineIssues/19thmag-sept08/TheNatural.pdf |title=TheNatural |publisher=Veteran's Magazine Online |access-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407184708/http://www.veteransmagazine.com/membersarea/MagazineIssues/19thmag-sept08/TheNatural.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

While he was 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 rather than wait until the next year he decided to pursue it. Despite never having competed in Greco-Roman he made the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |last5= |first5= |last6= |first6= |last7= |first7= |date=2024-09-29 |title=Know Your Legend: Randy "The Natural" Couture |url=https://evolve-mma.com/blog/know-your-legend-randy-the-natural-couture/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Evolve Daily |language=en-US}}</ref> He went on to win the U.S. Army Europe title and made the All-Army team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |title=How OSU wrestling helped turn Randy Couture into an MMA superstar |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/columns/jenni-carlson/2018/06/02/how-osu-wrestling-helped-turn-randy-couture-into-an-mma-superstar/60521418007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref>

Upon discharge, Couture became a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996), a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials, a three-time [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] Division I [[All-American]] and a two-time NCAA Division I runner-up (1991 and 1992) at [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|Oklahoma State University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=3927&my_page=10|title=Sherdog.com Preview: UFC 57 - Liddell-Couture 3|website=[[Sherdog]]|date=February 3, 2006|access-date=June 28, 2007}}</ref> In 1992, he was the Division I runner-up at {{Convert|190|lb}}, coming in second after [[Mark Kerr (fighter)|Mark Kerr]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagetoday.com/ufc-officially-announces-randy-couture-vs-brock-lesnar-at-ufc-91/|title=UFC Officially Announces Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar At UFC 91|date=September 2, 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://okstate.com/news/2018/5/10/wrestling-randy-couture-to-be-honored-as-outstanding-american "Randy Couture to be Honored as Outstanding American."] May 10, 2018.</ref>

==Mixed martial arts career==
===Ultimate Fighting Championship and RINGS===
Being called to the tournament as an alternate on three weeks' notice,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/05/randy-couture-tells-story-of-choosing-to-stay-with-ufc-instead-of-signing-with-pride |title=Randy Couture tells story of choosing to stay with UFC instead of signing with PRIDE |first=Brent |last=Brookhouse |date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> Couture made his professional mixed martial arts debut at [[UFC 13]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-13-s-Halme-passes-Couture-talks-about-his-f?urn=mma-212895|title=UFC 13's Halme passes: Couture talks about his first UFC opponent|publisher=sports.yahoo.com|date=January 11, 2010}}</ref> on May 30, 1997, as part of a four-man [[heavyweight]] tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=UFC 13 - The Ultimate Force |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-13-The-Ultimate-Force-21 |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref> His first opponent was [[Tony Halme]], who outweighed him by nearly {{convert|100|lb|kg st}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=Randy Couture on what it was really like to fight an opponent almost 100 pounds heavier than him |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/11/21/randy-couture-on-what-it-was-really-like-to-fight-an-opponent-almost-100-pounds-heavier-than-him/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Couture immediately hit a double-leg takedown and, after some ground and pound, moved to [[back mount]] and secured a [[rear naked choke]] submission to win in under a minute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=bjj |first=Kc |date=2011-05-05 |title='Natural' selection: A submission tribute to UFC hall-of-famer Randy Couture |url=https://www.mmamania.com/f/2011/5/5/2155516/a-submission-tribute-to-randy-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}</ref> In the tournament final, he defeated Steven Graham, another larger opponent (290&nbsp;lb), by [[Knockout|TKO]] at 3:13 into the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Genauer |first=Rami |date=2008-11-11 |title=Randy Couture Week, Day 1; 1997-2000: The Birth of 'The Natural' |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2008/11/11/randy-couture-week-day-1-1997-2000-the-birth-of-the-natural |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>

On October 17, 1997, at [[UFC 15]], Couture fought [[Vitor Belfort]] to determine the number one contender for the [[List of UFC champions|UFC Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/UFC-15-Collision-Course-23|title=UFC 15 - Collision Course}}</ref> Couture was an underdog, as 19-year-old Belfort was the [[UFC 12|UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion]], winning all of his matches with devastating punches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subhan |first=Burt Watson, Abbey |title=Randy Couture thought Vitor Belfort 'was intimidated' at UFC 15 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2021/01/28/legend-2-legend-randy-couture-vitor-belfort-iwas-intimidated-ufc-15/81677146007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> After circling away from Belfort's left hand, Couture got the [[Clinch fighting|clinch]]. The fighters broke up and, when Belfort attempted a flurry of punches, Couture hit a takedown. He immediately gained [[side control]] and landed strikes. As Belfort scrambled to his feet, Couture landed knee strikes. He clinched again and wore Belfort down with dirty boxing. By the 7-minute mark, Belfort was exhausted. Couture again took him down, and finished him with punches from back mount, for one of the biggest upsets in MMA at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC Flashback – The Greatest Upsets |url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-flashback-greatest-upsets |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512033944/https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-flashback-greatest-upsets |archive-date=2025-05-12 |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=UFC |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

At [[UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan|UFC Japan]] on December 21, Couture challenged the [[List of UFC champions|UFC Heavyweight Champion]], [[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]] to his second title defense since winning the belt from [[Mark Coleman]] earlier that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Maurice Smith, UFC 15.5 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2420-ufc-15-5-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-maurice-mo-smith |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> It was a slow-paced fight, and neither fighter significantly damaged the other, but Couture hit several takedowns and held positional control throughout the fight. After 21 minutes, he won a majority decision and became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fighting |first=M. M. A. |date=2008-08-14 |title=Top 10 Randy Couture Fights |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2008/08/14/top-10-randy-couture-fights |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref> Though this win was controversial as many believe Smith did enough to win the fight.

In 1998, UFC matchmakers wanted Couture to defend the belt against Bas Rutten, former King of [[Pancrase]]. Couture instead signed with [[Vale Tudo Japan]], and was stripped of the title.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snowden |first=Jonathan |title=UFC Champions Who Never Successfully Defended Their Belts |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1796757-ufc-champions-who-never-successfully-defended-their-belt |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-29 |title=A history of UFC title stripping |url=https://mixedmartialarts.com/news/a-history-of-ufc-title-stripping/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=mixedmartialarts.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He had his first and only match against [[Shooto]] veteran and grappling specialist [[Enson Inoue]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-21 |title=Enson Inoue {{!}} BJJ Heroes |url=https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/enson-inoue |access-date=2025-07-22}}</ref> After taking the fight to the ground, Couture tapped out to an armbar, just over 90 seconds into the bout.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Enson Inoue, Vale Tudo Japan 1998 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5656-vale-tudo-japan-1998-enson-yamato-damashi-inoue-vs-randy-the-natural-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>

Still in Japan, Couture was signed up with [[Fighting Network Rings|Fighting Network RINGS]], debuting against [[Mikhail Ilyukhin|Mikhail Illoukhine]] on March 20, 1999, in [[Fighting Network Rings|RINGS]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Mikhail Iliyukhin, Rings Japan {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5655-rings-mikhail-illoukhine-vs-randy-the-natural-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> Couture submitted to a [[armlock|kimura]], though the loss was controversial due to Illoukhine locking the hold while they were being re-positioned on the center of the ring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilcox |first=Nate |date=2011-07-30 |title=Mikhail Ilioukhine, The Forgotten Russian Legend of Old School MMA Tape Traders |url=https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/7/30/2304944/mikhail-ilioukhine-the-forgotten-russian-legend-of-old-school-mma |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Nation |language=en}}</ref> After that loss, he took a break from MMA to focus on his amateur wrestling career.

Couture returned to MMA in October 2000, for the [[Fighting Network Rings|RINGS King of Kings Tournament 2000]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rings Japan: King Of Kings 2000 (Round 1) {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/1956-rings-japan-king-of-kings-2000-round-1 |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> He won a unanimous decision over UFC veteran [[Jeremy Horn]] in his first fight,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Jeremy Horn, Rings Japan {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5654-rings-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-jeremy-gumby-horn |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> and then another over [[Pancrase]] veteran [[Ryūshi Yanagisawa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Ryushi Yanagisawa, Rings Japan {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5653-rings-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-ryushi-yanagisawa |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> These two wins qualified him for the final event of the tournament, in March 2001. Before that, he was offered a shot at the [[List of UFC champions|UFC Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Kevin Randleman]] on November 17, 2000. He was taken down in the first two rounds, but defended well from his back, negating most of Randleman's ground and pound attempts. In the third round, he tripped Randleman to the mat and landed several strikes from [[Mount (grappling)|full mount]] for a TKO victory and his second UFC Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Genauer |first=Rami |date=2008-11-12 |title=Randy Couture Week (Day 2), 2000-2002: Titles Won, Titles Lost |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2008/11/12/randy-couture-week-day-2-2000-2002-titles-won-titles-lost |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2001, Couture continued in the RINGS King of Kings Tournament 2000 Final.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rings Japan: King Of Kings 2000 (Round 3) {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/1955-rings-japan-king-of-kings-2000-round-3 |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> After winning an even decision over veteran [[Tsuyoshi Kohsaka]] in the first fight,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Tsuyoshi Kosaka, Rings Japan {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5652-rings-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-tsuyoshi-tk-kosaka |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> he got caught in a [[guillotine choke]] by [[Valentijn Overeem]] after committing himself in a takedown and had to submit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Valentijn Overeem, Rings Japan {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/5651-rings-valentijn-the-python-overeem-vs-randy-the-natural-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]] won the tournament, and Couture returned to the UFC.

His first title defense was against Brazilian [[Kickboxing|kickboxer]] [[Pedro Rizzo]], at [[UFC 31]]. This was the first UFC event under [[Zuffa]] management, with [[Dana White]] as the new president. Both fighters inflicted substantial damage. After five 5-minute rounds, Couture won a close unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MMAWeekly com |date=2020-04-23 |title=Flashback Fight: Randy Couture retains title after war with Pedro Rizzo at UFC 31 |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/ufc-31-fight-video-randy-couture-vs-pedro-rizzo |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMAWeekly.com {{!}} UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos |language=en}}</ref> Some fans felt Rizzo had won, so the UFC set up an immediate rematch for [[UFC 34]], in November 2001. This time, Couture won decisively by TKO in the third round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo II, UFC 34 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2757-ufc-34-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-pedro-the-rock-rizzo-ii |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>

His third title defense was in March 2002, against up-and-comer [[Josh Barnett]]. In the second round, Barnett mounted Couture and landed several strikes to win the title by TKO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Josh Barnett vs. Randy Couture, UFC 36 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1169-ufc-36-the-warmaster-josh-barnett-vs-randy-the-natural-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> After the fight, it was revealed Barnett had tested positive for [[anabolic steroid]]s. He was subsequently stripped of the title and cut from the UFC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-08 |title=UFC 36: Steroid controversy |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/ufc-36-steroid-controversy-163000817--mma.html |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Couture then faced [[Ricco Rodriguez]] for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at [[UFC 39]], in late 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricco Rodriguez vs. Randy Couture, UFC 39 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2515-ufc-39-ricco-suave-rodriguez-vs-randy-the-natural-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> After dominating the first three rounds, 39-year-old Couture became noticeably fatigued. In the fifth round, Rodriguez took him down and landed an elbow strike to his orbital bone, breaking it and making him submit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Yahoo |date=2009-05-11 |title=UFC 39: Ricco shocks the world |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ufc-39-ricco-shocks-world-162200767--mma.html |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> This was the first time a UFC fight had finished in the fifth round.

====Move to light heavyweight and trilogy with Chuck Liddell====
{{See also|Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell}}
After two consecutive losses to larger opponents in the [[Heavyweight (MMA)|heavyweight]] division, Couture moved down to the [[Light heavyweight (MMA)|light heavyweight]] division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bandu |first=Jay |title=Randy Couture Must Lose For the Future of MMA |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/288899-randy-couture-must-lose-for-the-future-of-mma |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref> In his light heavyweight debut, he fought long-time number one contender [[Chuck Liddell]] for the UFC Interim Light heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Chuck Liddell I, UFC 43 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2961-ufc-43-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-chuck-the-iceman-liddell-i |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> He was again the underdog but, after outstriking Liddell for three rounds, took the fight to the ground and won by TKO via strikes from full mount,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=1614|title=Fight Finder - UFC 43 Meltdown|website=[[Sherdog]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823035039/http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=1614|archive-date=August 23, 2006}}</ref> becoming the first UFC fighter to win titles in two weight classes.<ref name="naturaltv-bio">{{cite web|url=http://thenatural.tv/content/view/35/36/|title=The Natural.tv - Biography|publisher=TheNatural.tv|access-date=March 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322103529/http://thenatural.tv/content/view/35/36/|archive-date=March 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

His next match, against five-time defending champion [[Tito Ortiz]], was billed as a "Champion vs. Champion" fight. 40-year-old Couture won a unanimous decision to become the undisputed UFC Light heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Tito Ortiz, UFC 44 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1362-ufc-44-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-the-huntington-beach-bad-boy-tito-ortiz |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture defeats Tito Ortiz – UFC 44 |url=https://mmadecisions.com/decision/805/Randy-Couture-vs-Tito-Ortiz |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=mmadecisions.com}}</ref>

Couture's first title defense was against [[Vitor Belfort]], whom he had previously defeated in 1997 at [[UFC 15]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vitor Belfort vs. Randy Couture II, UFC 46 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1256-ufc-46-vitor-the-phenom-belfort-vs-randy-the-natural-couture-ii |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> In the first round, as Couture closed the distance to attempt a clinch, Belfort grazed his right eye with a left hook. His glove opened a cut, and Belfort was declared the winner when the cageside doctor advised the fight be stopped. A rubber match took place later that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort III, UFC 49 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1161-ufc-49-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-vitor-the-phenom-belfort-iii |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> Couture dominated all three rounds before winning by doctor stoppage due to a cut, and became a two-time UFC Light heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colon |first=Nick |title=UFC 129: Reliving Randy &quot;The Natural&quot; Couture's 5 Greatest UFC Fights |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/672824-ufc-129-reliving-randy-the-natural-coutures-five-greatest-fights-in-the-ufc |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref>

On April 16, 2005, in a rematch with Liddell, Couture lost his title and suffered the first knockout loss of his career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture II, UFC 52 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2993-ufc-52-chuck-the-iceman-liddell-vs-randy-the-natural-couture-ii |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> He came back in August to defeat [[Mike van Arsdale]] and reestablish himself as a top contender.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Mike Van Arsdale, UFC 54 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/2930-ufc-54-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-mike-van-arsdale |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> He faced Liddell for the third and final time in a championship match at [[UFC 57]], on February 4, 2006. He was knocked out in the second round and, immediately afterwards, announced his retirement from MMA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture III, UFC 57 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1113-ufc-57-chuck-the-iceman-liddell-vs-randy-the-natural-couture-iii |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-19 |title=Randy Couture to Retire for Good After UFC 129 |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2011/04/19/randy-couture-to-retire-for-good-after-ufc-129/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Randy Couture pic.jpg|thumb|150px|Couture in 2005]]

On June 24, 2006, on [[The Ultimate Fighter 3]] Finale, Couture became the fourth inductee to the [[UFC Hall of Fame]], joining [[Royce Gracie]], [[Dan Severn]], and [[Ken Shamrock]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/MMA/columns/84733 |title=MMA - 411 Fighter Profile: Randy Couture |publisher=411mania.com |access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>

====Retirement====
After retiring from MMA, Couture became a regular broadcast commentator for UFC events and co-host of ''Before the Bell'' and ''After the Bell'' on [[The Fight Network]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=New York |date=2007-05-26 |title=Fringe sport wading into the mainstream |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/05/26/fringe-sport-wading-into-the-mainstream/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> He appeared in the [[Rob Schneider]] movie ''[[Big Stan]]'', with fellow mixed martial artists [[Don Frye]] and [[Bob Sapp]].<ref>{{IMDb title|490086|Big Stan}}</ref>

On November 17, 2006, Couture fought and drew with [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]] champion [[Ronaldo Souza|Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza]] in a [[submission wrestling]] contest.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Gross|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=6169 |title=Couture Draws with "Jacaré" and Garcia Wins Again |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=November 18, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref> After the match Couture invited Souza to train at his gym. Souza accepted and started training at [[Xtreme Couture]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web|first=Denis |last=Martin |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=13145 |title=BJJ Phenom 'Jacaré' Set for Toughest Test to Date |publisher=Sherdog.com |access-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref>

Couture was featured in the season two premiere episode of the Spike TV show ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]'', which aired January 25, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MMANewswire |date=2006-12-15 |title=UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture to Appear on Spike's 'Prosvs. Joes' |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2006/12/15/ufc-hall-of-famer-randy-couture-to-appear-on-spike-pros-vs-joes |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MMA Junkie |title=Randy Couture to Appear on ";Pros vs. Joes"; |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2006/12/14/randy-couture-to-appear-on-pros-vs-joes/82570412007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> His teammates on the episode were [[Michael Irvin]], [[Kevin Willis]], and [[José Canseco]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564266/ |title="Pros vs. Joes" Think You Can Stop Michael Irvin? (TV Episode 2007) {{!}} Game-Show, Reality-TV, Sport |language=en-US |access-date=2025-07-22 |via=m.imdb.com}}</ref> He returned for the finale, where he took part in a [[American football|football]]-based round. His teammates were Willis, [[Randall Cunningham]], [[Bruce Smith (defensive end)|Bruce Smith]], [[Roy Jones Jr.]], and [[Tim Hardaway]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270226/ |title="Pros vs. Joes" Best Joes Take on the Best Pros (TV Episode 2007) {{!}} Game-Show, Reality-TV, Sport |language=en-US |access-date=2025-07-22 |via=m.imdb.com}}</ref>

====Reclaiming the Heavyweight Championship====
[[File:XtremeCouture.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Couture now trains at his own gym, Xtreme Couture.]]
On January 11, 2007, Couture announced his return from retirement in an interview on the Spike TV magazine show, "Inside the UFC".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid%3D3251%26zoneid%3D13 |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317110551/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3251&zoneid=13 |archive-date=March 17, 2007 }}</ref> In a conversation with [[Joe Rogan]], he confirmed he would face [[Tim Sylvia]] for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at [[UFC 68]], on March 3, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 68: Uprising {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-68-uprising |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> He also announced he had signed a four-fight, two-year deal with the UFC.

At the age of 43, Couture defeated Sylvia by unanimous decision to become UFC Heavyweight Champion for a third time (a UFC record).<ref>{{cite web|last=Meltzer |first=Dave |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=dm-ufcsixtyeight060909 |title=UFC 68: Pure magic - Mixed Martial Arts - Yahoo Sports |website=Sports.yahoo.com |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref> Couture's first punch, eight seconds into the fight, sent the {{nowrap|6 ft 8 in}} (2.03&nbsp;[[meter|m]]) Sylvia to the mat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/72153-ufc-91-couture-vs-lesnar-randy-has-no-chanceor-does-he|title=UFC 91 Couture vs. Lesnar: Randy Has No Chance...or Does He?|author=Brian Oswald|website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> He controlled the pace of the fight for five rounds, smothering Sylvia with strikes and numerous takedowns. All three judges scored the bout 50–45 for Couture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search%3Dyes%26EventID%3D4662 |title=Fight Finder - UFC 68 Uprising Mixed Martial Arts Statistics |access-date=March 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223134657/http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=4662 |archive-date=February 23, 2008 }}</ref>

At [[UFC 74]] on August 25, 2007, Couture successfully defended the title against Brazilian [[Gabriel Gonzaga]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufcmedia.com/randy-couture-vs-gabriel-gonzaga.html |title=Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga |access-date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830031109/http://www.ufcmedia.com/randy-couture-vs-gabriel-gonzaga.html |archive-date=August 30, 2008 }}</ref> defeating him via TKO by strikes. This fight earned him a ''[[List of UFC bonus award recipients|Fight of the Night]]'' award.<ref name="UFC74"/> Couture suffered a broken left arm when he blocked one of Gonzaga's kicks.<ref name="411Mania Broken Arm">{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/58955/UFC-News:-Couture-Breaks-Arm,-SPIKE-Releases-The-Ultimate-Fighter-Cast.htm|title=UFC News: Couture Breaks Arm, SPIKE Releases The Ultimate Fighter Cast|date=August 27, 2007|access-date=August 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010050446/http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/58955/UFC-News:-Couture-Breaks-Arm,-SPIKE-Releases-The-Ultimate-Fighter-Cast.htm|archive-date=October 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The kick cleanly split his [[ulna]], requiring him to wear a [[Splint (medicine)|splint]] for six weeks.

====Resignation and dispute with the UFC====
On October 11, 2007, Couture announced he was severing all ties with the UFC, leaving two contracted fights, a position as an on-air analyst and the UFC Heavyweight Championship behind. He received $250,000 (plus $936,000 of PPV revenue) for his comeback fight with [[Tim Sylvia]]. He received a $250,000 purse for defeating [[Gabriel Gonzaga]] (plus a $35,000 "Fight of the Night" bonus and $787,000 in PPV revenue).<ref name="UFC74">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-ufc31oct31,1,3888506.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-boxing |title=UFC officials give out Randy Couture salary information |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103042006/http://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-ufc31oct31%2C1%2C3888506.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-boxing |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He complained [[Chuck Liddell]] was allegedly paid more than he was, despite losing his previous two fights.<ref>{{cite book|last=Couture|first=Randy|author2=Loretta Hunt |title=Becoming the Natural: My Life in and Out of the Cage|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2008|pages=273–274|isbn=978-1-4169-5780-5}}</ref> Couture cited the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]]'s failure to sign #1 ranked [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] fighter [[Fedor Emelianenko]], as well as disputes with UFC management, for his decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-couture101107|title= Couture stuns MMA world with retirement|last=Iole|first=Kevin|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date= October 11, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=9455|title=Exclusive: Couture Talks UFC Resignation| last=Gross|first=Josh|website=[[Sherdog]]|date=October 11, 2007}}</ref>

====Transition from fighter to coach====
On October 18, 2007, UFC president Dana White said Couture remained the UFC Heavyweight Champion despite his plans to quit, and reiterated he would not release Couture from the final two fights on his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7349878 |title=FOX Sports on MSN - Boxing - UFC's White: Couture's still mine |access-date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020051545/http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7349878 |archive-date=October 20, 2007 }}</ref> Couture held a press conference on October 25, 2007, where he denied his departure from UFC was a "retirement", set forth his grievances about his pay, and reiterated his belief that he would be free from any contractual obligations to the UFC after nine months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/why-randy-couture-left-the-ufc-2 |title=WHY RANDY COUTURE LEFT THE UFC |last=Cain|first=Jeff|publisher=MMAWeekly.com |date =October 25, 2007|access-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref>

On October 30, 2007, White and [[Zuffa]] CEO Lorenzo Fertitta held another press conference, where White reiterated the UFC's position of twelve days prior,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-disputes-coutures-claims-about-his-pay-2 |title=UFC disputes Couture's claims about his pay|last=Cain|first=Jeff| publisher=MMAWeekly.com|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> and released documents refuting Couture's claims about the pay he received.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=8466|title=UFC releases payment receipts to Couture|last=Gerbasi|first=Thomas|publisher=Ultimate Fighting Championship|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=November 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031104845/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=8466|archive-date=October 31, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

They met again on Thanksgiving weekend to discuss a possible UFC return,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-15 |title=Randy Couture and Dana White to Meet |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2007/11/15/5046/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}</ref> but Couture said he had no desire to do so at the time.

[[Cornerman|Cornering]] some of his fighters from [[Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts|Xtreme Couture]] at [[HDNet Fights]] on December 15 in Dallas, Couture answered questions about [[Fedor Emelianenko]], stating that he would like to fight him in October, once his [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] contract expired, if the UFC could not come to a co-promotion agreement with [[Russia]]'s [[M-1 Global]] beforehand.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=10406 |title=Couture: Could Fight Fedor in October '08}}</ref>

On January 15, 2008, Zuffa filed a lawsuit in [[Nevada District Courts|Clark County District Court]] in Nevada, citing breach of contract and irreparable damage,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lvrj.com/sports/13794082.html|title=Couture is target of UFC lawsuit|date=January 16, 2008}}</ref> seeking over $10,000 in damages. This suit only concerned Couture's employment contract and not his promotional contract. On February 28, 2008, Judge Jennifer Togliatti handed down the first ruling in the case, issuing a [[preliminary injunction]] barring Couture from participating in an [[International Fight League|IFL]] event held the following day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fighting |first=M. M. A. |date=2008-02-29 |title=UFC wins preliminary injunction against Randy Couture |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2008/02/29/ufc-wins-preliminary-injunction-against-randy-couture |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>

On August 2, 2008, a Texas appeals court granted Zuffa's request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment in a suit filed by [[AXS TV|HDNet]] regarding Couture's contractual status with the UFC. The stay effectively ended the dispute in the state of Texas, and Zuffa was allowed to move forward with the Nevada suit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=13807 |title=The Official Website of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® |publisher=UFC |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029203754/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=13807 |archive-date=October 29, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/4963/in-randy-couture-court-case-latest-round-goes-to-ufc.mma|title=In Randy Couture court case, latest round goes to UFC|author=Steve Sievert|publisher=MMAjunkie|access-date=August 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808034907/http://mmajunkie.com/news/4963/in-randy-couture-court-case-latest-round-goes-to-ufc.mma|archive-date=August 8, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Return to the UFC====
On September 2, 2008, the UFC announced it had signed Couture to a new three-fight contract. On November 15, he returned at [[UFC 91]] in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lost the [[List of UFC champions|UFC Heavyweight Championship]] to [[Brock Lesnar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.fightCard&eid=1645 |title=The Official Website of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® |publisher=UFC |access-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902151641/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.FightCard&eid=1645 |archive-date=September 2, 2009 }}</ref> After a close first round, Lesnar knocked Couture down in the second round and struck him with hammerfists for a TKO victory at 3:07.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/lesnar-takes-coutures-title-15178|title=Lesnar Takes Couture's Title|author=Joe Hall|website=Sherdog}}</ref> In a post-fight interview with [[Joe Rogan]], Couture declared his desire to keep fighting and said he felt he was still becoming a better fighter, blaming the loss on his performance, not his age.

On August 29, 2009, Couture faced former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion and former [[List of Pride Fighting Championships champions#World Heavyweight Championship|PRIDE Heavyweight Champion]] [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]] at [[UFC 102]] in Portland, Oregon,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid%3D8263%26zoneid%3D13 |title=- COUTURE AGREES TO FIGHT WITH NOGUEIRA - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more |access-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828035425/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8263&zoneid=13 |archive-date=August 28, 2009 }}</ref> and lost by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28). After the bout, Couture stated he felt he was in the best shape of his life, and would wait and see what the UFC had in store for him. The fight received the "Fight of the Night" award.<ref name="UFC102">{{Cite web|url=https://adcombat.com/news2009-08-30ufc-102-nogueira-defeats-couture-adcc-87kg-champion-maia-kod-marquardt-and-tuf-vets/|title=UFC 102: Nogueira defeats Couture, ADCC -87kg champion Maia KO'd by Marquardt, and TUF vets go 0-4|publisher=adcombat.com|author=Keith Mills|date=2009-08-30|access-date=2025-01-19}}</ref>

====Return to light heavyweight and retirement====
After the Nogueira loss, Couture signed a new six-fight deal, which superseded his previous contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mma/story/12137703 |title=MMA news, fighter profiles and events – Mixed Martial Arts |publisher=Cbssports.com |access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>

On November 14, 2009, at [[UFC 105]], Couture faced [[Brandon Vera]]. Vera landed effective strikes and scored a takedown, but Couture won a somewhat controversial unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2009/11/15/vera-couture-decision-another-in-long-line-of-controversies|title=Vera-Couture Decision Another in Long Line of Controversies|author=Mike Chiappetta|date=15 November 2009|publisher=MMA Fighting}}</ref> The fight was his first at Light heavyweight since losing to Chuck Liddell in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2009/11/14/ufc-105-brandon-vera-randy-couture-by-decision|title=UFC 105: Randy Couture Beats Brandon Vera in Surprising Decision|author=Michael David Smith|date=14 November 2009|publisher=MMA Fighting}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Randy-Couture-edges-Brandon-Vera-but-not-without?urn=mma,202560|title=Randy Couture edges Brandon Vera but not without controversy|author=Steve Cofield|publisher=Yahoo!}}</ref> With the win, the 46-year-old Couture became the oldest fighter to win a UFC bout.
[[File:Randy Couture 2010.jpg|thumb|right|200px|At the Arnold Sports Festival for [[WEC 47]] on March 6, 2010]]
Couture fought fellow UFC Hall of Famer [[Mark Coleman]] at [[UFC 109]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman, UFC 109 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/1854-ufc-109-randy-the-natural-couture-vs-mark-the-hammer-coleman |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref> The bout marked the first time UFC Hall of Famers fought each other in the UFC. They were scheduled to meet at [[UFC 17]] in 1998, but an injury to Couture forced the cancellation of the bout.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MMA Junkie |title=Report: Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman in the works for UFC 109 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2009/11/17/report-randy-couture-vs-mark-coleman-in-the-works-for-ufc-109/82540003007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> They wrestled each other in a freestyle match at the 1989 Olympic Festival at [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|Oklahoma State University]]; Coleman won the match by one point. Couture modified his training for this bout, focusing on catch wrestling and refining his boxing under coach Gil Martinez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/01/20/randy-couture-moving-away-from-a-jiu-jitsu-mentality|title=Randy Couture 'Moving Away From a Jiu Jitsu Mentality'|author=Michael David Smith|date=20 January 2010|publisher=MMA Fighting}}</ref> The combined age of these fighters (91) is the highest in any UFC match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Couture-Coleman-Slated-for-UFC-109-21002|title=Couture-Coleman Slated for UFC 109|author=Loretta Hunt|website=Sherdog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16888/report-randy-couture-vs-mark-coleman-in-the-works-for-ufc-109.mma|title=Report: Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman in the works for UFC 109|publisher=MMAjunkie|access-date=November 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120215900/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16888/report-randy-couture-vs-mark-coleman-in-the-works-for-ufc-109.mma|archive-date=November 20, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Couture made Coleman pass out to a rear-naked choke submission in the second round, getting his first submission win in over four years.

Couture was scheduled to fight [[Rich Franklin]] at [[UFC 115]], but Franklin instead fought Chuck Liddell, replacing Liddell's original opponent, [[Tito Ortiz]]. Couture instead faced three-time boxing world champion [[James Toney]] at [[UFC 118]]. Couture dominated Toney, taking him down and mounting him within seconds, and quickly making him submit to an [[arm triangle choke]]. The match achieved notoriety, though it drew criticisms of being a [[freak show fight]], among them by UFC President [[Dana White]] himself.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fighting Words: In-Depth Interviews with the Biggest Names in Mixed Martial Arts|author1=Mike Straka|date=2011|publisher=Triumph|isbn=9781617495311}}</ref> Many also felt that this fight had been made as an attempt to repair damage done to the credibility of MMA after [[Ray Mercer]] knocked out former UFC Heavyweight Champion [[Tim Sylvia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fighters.com/07/26/facing-the-inevitable-james-toney-will-knock-out-randy-couture |title=Fighters Gym Phuket, Western Boxing, K1, Muay Thai Camp |website=Fighters.com |date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109153941/http://www.fighters.com/07/26/facing-the-inevitable-james-toney-will-knock-out-randy-couture/ |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Couture had stated he was interested in fighting either [[Lyoto Machida]] or [[Maurício Rua]] (in a non-title bout). Since Rua had an upcoming title defense against [[Jon Jones]], UFC matchmakers gave him Machida. They fought on April 30, 2011, at [[UFC 129]], before 55,000 fans in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-sold-out-shatters-records-with-55000-tickets|title=UFC 129 Sold Out; Shatters Records with 55,000 Tickets|publisher=MMAWeekly.com|date=February 12, 2011}}</ref> Couture had stated before the bout it would be his final fight. Machida knocked him out in the second round with a jumping [[front kick]].<ref name="jumpingfrontkick">{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bloodied-GSP-Decisions-Shields-32007 |title=Bloodied GSP Decisions Shields |last=Knapp |first=Brian |date=May 1, 2011 |website=[[Sherdog]] |access-date=May 8, 2011}}</ref> After the fight, Couture announced he was "finally done fighting", at the age of 47.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23450/with-couture-finally-done-ufc-boss-has-no-regrets-sending-the-natural-into-the-cage.mma|title=Couture finally done|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=May 1, 2011|access-date=May 2, 2011|archive-date=May 25, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525150647/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23450/with-couture-finally-done-ufc-boss-has-no-regrets-sending-the-natural-into-the-cage.mma|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Bellator Fighting Championships===
On January 29, 2013, Couture signed with [[Bellator Fighting Championships|Bellator]] to be a coach in the first season of their reality show, ''[[Fight Master: Bellator MMA]]'' which debuted in June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Randy-Couture-Inks-MultiYear-Deal-with-Spike-TV-Will-Coach-Bellator-Reality-Show-49517|title=Couture Inks MultiYear Deal with Spike TV|publisher=sherdog.com|date=January 29, 2013}}</ref> Couture also did commentary for [[Bellator 96]].

==Acting==
Couture made a cameo appearance in the direct-to-video [[Steven Seagal]] film ''[[Today You Die]]'' and on the season finale of the [[CBS]] show ''[[The Unit]]'', as a military guard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MMA Junkie |title=Randy Couture Makes Guest Appearance Tuesday on "The Unit" |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2007/10/29/randy-couture-makes-guest-appearance-tuesday-on-the-unit/82563599007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> He played fight commentator Terry Flynn in the film ''[[Redbelt]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-06 |title=Hollywood makes first foray into MMA with 'Redbelt' |url=https://www.si.com/mma/2008/05/06/couture-redbelt |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref> He appeared on an episode of [[History (U.S. TV channel)|The History Channel]] show ''[[Human Weapon]]'' on September 27, 2007, and starred in the 2008 film ''[[The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior]]''.<ref name="imdb.com">{{IMDb title|1104123|The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior}}</ref> He played Toll Road in the 2010 movie ''[[The Expendables (2010 film)|The Expendables]]'' and reprised the role in the [[The Expendables 2|2012]], [[The Expendables 3|2014]] and [[Expend4bles|2023 sequels]]. He did several [[public service announcement]]s, one against [[crystal meth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagepotato.com/video-tribute-mmas-eight-greatest-public-service-announcements/|title=Video Tribute: MMA's Eight Greatest Public Service Announcements|date=11 December 2011 |publisher=[[CagePotato]].com|access-date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> He starred alongside [[50 Cent]] and [[Bruce Willis]] in the 2011 film, ''[[Setup (2011 film)|Setup]]'', as an enforcer named Petey.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-08-10 |title=Randy Couture robs Bruce Willis in 'Setup' |url=https://mixedmartialarts.com/news/randy-couture-robs-bruce-willis-in-setup/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=mixedmartialarts.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2012, he played the leading role of hard-bitten cop Paul Ross in Brandon Nutt's action film ''Hijacked'', alongside [[Dominic Purcell]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-19 |title=Watch 'Hijacked' Trailer Starring UFC Hall-Of-Famer Randy Couture |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2012/06/19/watch-hijacked-movie-trailer-starring-ufc-hall-of-famer-randy-couture/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 4, 2014, it was announced that Couture would be one of the celebrities competing on the [[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 19)|19th season]] of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]''. He paired with professional dancer [[Karina Smirnoff]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/09/04/dancing-with-the-stars-season-19-cast-dwts-celebrities/|title='Dancing With The Stars': Season 19 Celebrity Contestants Revealed|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Wagmeister|date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> The couple was eliminated on the third week of competition finishing in eleventh place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/dancing_with_the_stars_season_19_week_3_scores_results-2014-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001051322/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/dancing_with_the_stars_season_19_week_3_scores_results-2014-09|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2014|title='Dancing With the Stars' Season 19 week 3 scores and results|website=[[Zap2it]]|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref>

Couture has appeared in 4 episodes of the TV series [[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|''Hawaii Five-0'']] as Jason Duclair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0527760/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_4/|title=Hawaii Five-0 Character Jason Duclair|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>

Couture appeared on ''[[Impractical Jokers]]'' as a guest during Sal Vulcano's punishment in the episode "Pantsing with the Stars". In that episode, Vulcano, who refused an instruction during a challenge where he was posing as a Krav Maga instructor, was given a surprise punishment by the other Jokers in that he then had to wrestle Couture and attempt to “pants” him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-10 |title=Randy Couture reveals the hilarious thing the Impractical Jokers producers told him to do while 'humiliating' Sal Vulcano |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/11/10/randy-couture-reveals-the-hilarious-thing-the-impractical-jokers-producers-told-to-him-to-do-while-humiliating-sal-vulcano/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, Couture starred alongside [[Luke Goss]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Brett |title=The Hard Way Netflix Cast |url=https://decider.com/2019/03/11/the-hard-way-netflix-cast/ |website=Decider |date=11 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> and [[Michael Jai White]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hard Way 2019 HD |url=https://www.filmlicious.net/movie/the-hard-way-Qo6L.html |website=Filmlicious |access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> in the movie ''The Hard Way'', which was among the most popular watched movies on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lyles |first1=Jeffrey |title=The Hard Way (2019) movie review |url=https://lylesmoviefiles.com/2019/03/17/the-hard-way-2019-movie-review/ |website=lylesmoviefiles |date=17 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> He also appeared in the film ''[[Outlaw Johnny Black]]''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8667828/fullcredits/ |title=Outlaw Johnny Black (2023) - Full cast & crew - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-07-22 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>

In July 2019, Couture appeared on an episode of the Outdoor Channel show ''Gunnytime'' entitled "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10814544/plotsummary/ |title="GunnyTime" Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (TV Episode 2019) - Plot - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-07-22 |via=m.imdb.com}}</ref>

In June 2025, Couture starred alongside [[Jennifer Esposito]] and [[Tommy Davidson]] in the movie ''F Plus''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Melanie Goodfellow,Andreas |date=2023-08-14 |title=Premiere Entertainment Boards Family Comedy 'F Plus' Starring Randy Couture, Tommy Davidson & Jennifer Esposito |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/randy-couture-tommy-davidson-jennifer-esposito-movie-fplus-1235460409/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Couture was previously married to Sharon, Tricia, and Kim Couture ([[Given name|née]] Borrego).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=4631|title=Couture readies himself for climb up Mount Sylvia|publisher=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]]|date=January 3, 2007|access-date=August 1, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403181659/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=4631|archive-date=April 3, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/news/couture020114.html |title=Mentions his second wife Tricia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020205112054/http://www.mmafighting.com/news/couture020114.html |archive-date=February 5, 2002 }}</ref> He and Kim filed for divorce in May 2009. He continued to coach her and support her MMA career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmaweekly.com/kim-couture-plans-august-return-to-fighting-2 |title=KIM COUTURE PLANS AUGUST RETURN TO FIGHTING |access-date=June 2, 2009 |publisher=MMAWEEKLY.com |date=May 26, 2009}}</ref> He has three children, including Aimee, [[Ryan Couture|Ryan]], and Caden “Cooter” Couture as well as four grandchildren. He often works with and is the long-term partner of [[Mindy Robinson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://heavy.com/sports/2014/08/randy-couture-new-girlfriend-mindy-robinson-photos/|title = Mindy Robinson, Randy Couture Girlfriend: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|date = 19 August 2014}}</ref>

Asked if MMA could be improved, he suggested health insurance, retirement plans as well as more equal compensation regarding other athletes and sports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mma/blog/2008/11/qa_with_randy_couture.html|title=Q&A with Randy Couture|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|archive-date=2016-05-03|access-date=2009-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503202716/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/mma/blog/2008/11/qa_with_randy_couture.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He lives in Las Vegas.<ref>"24 Hours to Live". ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' magazine. September 2010. page 112</ref> He enjoys hunting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outdoorhub.com/pr/2013/07/25/meet-the-mcmillans-on-sportsman-channel-welcome-mma-legend-randy-couture-this-sunday/|title=Meet the McMillans on Sportsman Channel Welcomes MMA Legend, Randy Couture this Sunday - OutdoorHub}}</ref>

In 2012, Couture was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]] (ISHOF) presented by sports legend [[Robert M. Goldman|Dr. Robert M. Goldman]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2018, he was inducted into the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] and was an Outstanding American honoree.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-04 |title=National Wrestling Hall of Fame welcomes Class of 2018 |url=https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/national-wrestling-hall-of-fame-welcomes-class-of-2018-r84368/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=InterMat |language=en-US}}</ref>

On October 23, 2019, Couture suffered a [[heart attack]] after training and walked himself to a nearby hospital. Following a successful operation, Couture made a full recovery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/11/randy-couture-heart-attack-thankful-ufc-mma/amp|title=Randy Couture details health scare: 'Another 30 or 40 minutes, it would've been a different outcome'|work=MMA Junkie|author=Nolan King|date=November 27, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2020}}</ref>

Following a racing crash accident in July 2025, Couture had to be airlifted to a hospital with [[Burn|first and second-degree burns]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-09 |title=MMA star Couture airlifted following racing wreck |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45704307/mma-star-randy-couture-airlifted-hospital-racing-accident |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> He was discharged shortly thereafter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sam |first=Doric |title=UFC Icon Randy Couture Reportedly Released from Hospital to Recover from Car Crash |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25226662-ufc-icon-randy-couture-reportedly-released-hospital-recover-car-crash |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Championships and accomplishments==
===Greco-Roman wrestling===
*'''[[Pan American Games]]'''
**Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – second place (June 13, 1990)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Couture Wins Gold |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1991/08/09/couture-wins-gold/62520400007/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref>
**Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – winner (January 1, 1991)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-27 |title=Match of the Day: Randy Couture wins the 1997 U.S. Open |url=https://www.themat.com/news/2020/july/27/match-of-the-day-randy-couture-wins-the-1997-us-open |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=www.themat.com |language=en}}</ref>
**Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – second place (January 1, 1992)
**Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 97&nbsp;kg – third place (May 21, 1997)
**Pan American Championship Greco-Roman Seniors 97&nbsp;kg – second place (March 24, 1998)
**Pan American Games Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – winner (August 6, 1991)<ref name=":1" />
*'''[[World Wrestling Championships|FILA Wrestling World Championships]]'''
**FILA test tournament Greco-Roman Seniors 97&nbsp;kg – third place (March 14, 1998)
**FILA World Cup Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – third place (November 9, 1991)
**FILA World Cup Greco-Roman Seniors 90&nbsp;kg – third place (November 21, 1992)

===Collegiate wrestling===
*'''[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=1783 |title=National Wrestling Hall of Fame |publisher=Wrestlinghalloffame.org |access-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517205921/http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=1783 |archive-date=May 17, 2011 }}</ref>
**[[NCAA Division I]] [[All-America#Wrestling|All-American]] (1990, 1991, 1992)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fun-on.com/Randy_Couture_stats_profile.php |title=Randy Couture "The Natural" stats and profile |publisher=Fun-on.com |access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>
**NCAA Division I 190&nbsp;lb/86.4&nbsp;kg – 6th place <small>out of [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|Oklahoma State University]]</small> (1990)
**NCAA Division I 190&nbsp;lb/86.4&nbsp;kg – Runner-up <small>out of Oklahoma State University</small> (1991)
**NCAA Division I 190&nbsp;lb/86.4&nbsp;kg – Runner-up <small>out of Oklahoma State University</small> (1992)

===Mixed martial arts===
*'''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
**[[UFC Hall of Fame]] ([[UFC Hall of Fame#Pioneer wing|Pioneer Wing]], Class of 2006)
**[[List of UFC champions#Tournament winners|UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament Champion]]
**[[List of UFC champions|UFC Heavyweight Championship]] (3 times)
***Three successful title defenses overall
****Two successful title defenses (second reign)
****One successful title defense (third reign)
***[[List of UFC champions|UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]] (2 times)
***[[List of UFC champions|Interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)
***First multi-divisional champion in UFC history<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Basraa |first1=Umair |last2=Schlabaugh |first2=Ethan |date=2024-03-06 |title=Every UFC Double Champion In History, Ranked by Skill |url=https://www.thesportster.com/every-ufc-double-champion-in-history-ranked-by-skill/ |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref>
***First & only fighter that was a multi-divisional champion that won back the title after losing it (2x at Heavyweight & 1x at Light Heavyweight)
***Tied ([[Georges St-Pierre]]) for [[List of UFC records#Most bouts - All fighters|second most championship fights in UFC history]] (15)
***[[List of UFC records#Most title reigns|Most championship reigns in UFC history]] (6)
***Tied ([[Tim Sylvia]]) for [[List of UFC records#Most bouts - By division|most heavyweight title bouts in UFC history]] (9)
***[[List of UFC records#Oldest champions|Oldest fighter to be a champion in UFC history]] (45 years, 4 months; 16,583 days)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sean |title=10 Oldest Champions in UFC History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1947243-10-oldest-champions-in-ufc-history |access-date=2025-07-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref>
***[[List of UFC records#Oldest champions|Oldest fighter to win a championship in UFC history]] (43 years 255 days)
***Tied ([[Matt Hughes (fighter)|Matt Hughes]], [[Chuck Liddell]] & [[T.J. Dillashaw]]) for third [[List of UFC records#Most knockouts - All fighters|most knockouts in UFC title fights]] (5)
***Oldest fighter to defend a championship successfully (44 years Old)
**[[UFC 45|UFC Viewer's Choice Award]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=856 |title=UFC 45: Revolution |publisher=Fighttimes.com |date=November 21, 2003 |access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>
**[[List of UFC bonus award recipients|Fight of the Night]] (Two times) {{small|vs. [[Gabriel Gonzaga]] and [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]]}}<ref name="UFC74"/><ref name="UFC102"/>
**'''[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|UFC Encyclopedia Awards]]'''
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Fight of the Night]] (Eight times) {{small|vs. [[Vitor Belfort]] 1, [[Kevin Randleman]], [[Pedro Rizzo]], [[Josh Barnett]], [[Ricco Rodriguez]], [[Chuck Liddell]] 1, [[Tito Ortiz]] and [[Chuck Liddell]] 3}}<ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 164|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 183|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 188|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 193|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 197|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 201|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 202|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 228|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
****Tied ([[Tito Ortiz]]) for most [[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients#Fighters_with_the_most_awards|Encyclopedia Fight of the Night Awards]] (8)
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Submission of the Night]] (One time) {{small|vs. [[Mike van Arsdale]]}}<ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 220|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
**[[List of UFC records#Most PPV Main Events|Most main event bouts in UFC history]] (18) – tied with [[Anderson Silva]]
**Oldest fighter to win a bout in UFC history (47 years, 68 days)
**'''UFC.com Awards'''
***2007: [[2007 in UFC#2007 UFC.com awards|Ranked #3 Fighter of the Year]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9445|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129053712/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9445|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-01-29|title=Ten Best – The 2007 Fighters of The Year|date=January 3, 2008|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]}}</ref> [[2007 in UFC#2007 UFC.com awards|Ranked #9 Upset of the Year]] {{small|vs. [[Tim Sylvia]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9374|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125205304/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9374|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-01-25|title=Ten Best – The Biggest Upsets of 2007|date=December 30, 2007|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]}}</ref> & [[2007 in UFC#2007 UFC.com awards|Ranked #9 Fight of the Year]] {{small|vs. [[Tim Sylvia]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9396|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127022325/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9396|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-01-27|title=Ten Best – The Top Fights of 2007|date=January 2, 2008|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]}}</ref>
***2009: [[2009 in UFC#2009 UFC.com awards|Ranked #2 Fight of the Year]] {{small|vs. [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-fights-2009|title=Ten Best – The Fights of 2009|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 21, 2009|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]}}</ref>

*'''[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt Magazine]]'''
**1997 Full-Contact Competitor of the Year
**[[Black Belt Magazine]] Hall of Famer<ref name="Black Belt Magazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/martial-arts-videos/mma-videos/matt-hughes-2006-nhb-fighter-of-the-year/ |title=Matt Hughes: 2006 NHB Fighter of the Year |publisher=BlackBeltMag.com |date=March 20, 2011 |access-date=July 11, 2012 |last=Horwitz |first=Raymond |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413030813/http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/martial-arts-videos/mma-videos/matt-hughes-2006-nhb-fighter-of-the-year/ |archive-date=April 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**2013 George Tragos Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=81532|title=STEINERS, HENNIG AND MORE {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|HEADLING}} 2014 NATIONAL PRO WRESTLING HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS - PWInsider.com}}</ref>
*'''Inside Fights'''
**2009 Fight of the Year – <small>vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on August 29</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://insidefights.com/2010/01/04/inside-fights-mma-awards-part-4/ |title=MMA Awards – Part 4 |publisher=Inside Fights |access-date=November 7, 2012 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205055/http://insidefights.com/2010/01/04/inside-fights-mma-awards-part-4/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter#Fight of the year|2001 Fight of the Year]] <small>vs. Pedro Rizzo on May 4</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter#Most Outstanding Fighter|2003 Most Outstanding Fighter]]
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter#Most Valuable Fighter|2007 MMA Most Valuable Fighter]]
**MMA Most Valuable Fighter of the Decade (2000s)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.net/2010/08/03/segun-el-wrestling-observer%E2%80%A6-%C2%BFquienes-son-los-mejores-los-mejores-de-la-decada/ |title=Según el Wrestling Observer... ¿Quiénes son los mejores los mejores de la década? |last=Beltrán |first=William |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010 |publisher=SuperLuchas Magazine |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806184558/http://superluchas.net/2010/08/03/segun-el-wrestling-observer%E2%80%A6-%C2%BFquienes-son-los-mejores-los-mejores-de-la-decada/ |archive-date=August 6, 2010 }}</ref>
*'''[[World MMA Awards]]'''
**2010 Outstanding Contribution to MMA Award<ref>{{cite news|last=Mrosko|first=Geno|title=2010 World MMA Awards Winners and Results|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2010/12/2/1850347/2010-world-mma-awards-winners-and-results|access-date=13 January 2013|newspaper=MMA Mania|date=2 December 2010}}</ref>
*'''[[Fight Matrix]]'''
**1997 Rookie of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |title=MMA Awards |url=https://www.fightmatrix.com/fightmatrix-awards/ |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Fight Matrix |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 
| nc= 
| ko-wins= 7
| ko-losses= 7
| sub-wins= 4
| sub-losses= 3
| dec-wins= 8
| dec-losses= 1
| dq-wins= 
| dq-losses= 
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 19–11
| [[Lyoto Machida]]
| KO (front kick)
| [[UFC 129]]
| {{dts|2011|April|30|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:05
| [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| {{small|Retired after bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19–10
| [[James Toney]]
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| [[UFC 118]]
| {{dts|2010|August|28|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:19
| [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], United States
| {{small|Heavyweight bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18–10
| [[Mark Coleman]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[UFC 109]]
| {{dts|2010|February|06|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:09
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|First ever [[UFC Hall of Fame]]r vs. [[UFC Hall of Fame]]r bout in UFC history.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–10
| [[Brandon Vera]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 105]]
| {{dts|2009|November|14|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Manchester]], [[United Kingdom]]
| {{small|Return to Light Heavyweight.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 16–10
| [[Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 102]]
| {{dts|2009|August|29|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Portland, Oregon]], United States
| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 16–9
| [[Brock Lesnar]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 91]]
| {{dts|2008|November|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:07
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Lost the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–8
| [[Gabriel Gonzaga]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 74]]
| {{dts|2007|August|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 1:37
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Defended the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]]. Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–8
| [[Tim Sylvia]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 68]]
| {{dts|2007|March|03|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Columbus, Ohio]], United States
| {{small|Return to Heavyweight. Won the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 14–8
| [[Chuck Liddell]]
| KO (punch)
| [[UFC 57]]
| {{dts|2006|February|04|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 1:28
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|For the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–7
| [[Mike van Arsdale]]
| Submission (anaconda choke)
| [[UFC 54]]
| {{dts|2005|August|20|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 0:52
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 13–7
| [[Chuck Liddell]]
| KO (punches)
| [[UFC 52]]
| {{dts|2005|April|16|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|TUF 1 coaches fight, Lost the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–6
| [[Vitor Belfort]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[UFC 49]]
| {{dts|2004|August|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Won the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 12–6
| [[Vitor Belfort]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[UFC 46]]
| {{dts|2004|January|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:49
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Lost the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–5
| [[Tito Ortiz]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 44]]
| {{dts|2003|September|26|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Won and unified the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–5
| [[Chuck Liddell]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 43]]
| {{dts|2003|June|06|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:39
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Light Heavyweight debut. Won the interim [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 10–5
| [[Ricco Rodriguez]]
| TKO (submission to elbow)
| [[UFC 39]]
| {{dts|2002|September|27|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 3:04
| [[Montville, Connecticut]], United States
| {{small|For the vacant [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 10–4
| [[Josh Barnett]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 36]]
| {{dts|2002|March|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:35
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Lost the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]]. Barnett subsequently tested positive for banned substances and the championship was vacated.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–3
| [[Pedro Rizzo]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 34]]
| {{dts|2001|November|02|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 1:38
| [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Defended the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–3
| [[Pedro Rizzo]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 31]]
| {{dts|2001|May|04|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|Defended the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]]. 2001 Fight of the Year.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8–3
| [[Valentijn Overeem]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| rowspan=2|[[2001 in Fighting Network Rings#Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final|Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|2001|February|24|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:56
| rowspan=2|[[Tokyo]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–2
| [[Tsuyoshi Kohsaka]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–2
| [[Kevin Randleman]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 28]]
| {{dts|2000|November|17|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 4:13
| [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|Won the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–2
| [[Ryushi Yanagisawa]]
| Decision (majority)
| rowspan=2|[[2000 in Fighting Network Rings#Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A|Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|2000|October|09|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| rowspan=2|[[Tokyo]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| [[Jeremy Horn]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 4–2
| [[Mikhail Ilyukhin]]
| Submission (kimura)
| [[1999 in Fighting Network Rings#Rings: Rise 1st|Rings: Rise 1st]]
| {{dts|1999|March|20|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 7:43
| Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 4–1
| [[Enson Inoue]]
| Submission (armbar)
| [[Vale Tudo Japan#Vale Tudo Japan 1998|Vale Tudo Japan 1998]]
| {{dts|1998|October|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:39
| Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| [[Maurice Smith (fighter)|Maurice Smith]]
| Decision (majority)
| [[UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan]]
| {{dts|1997|December|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 21:00
| [[Yokohama, Kanagawa]], Japan
| {{small|Won the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]]; later vacated title due to a contract dispute.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| [[Vitor Belfort]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 15]]
| {{dts|1997|October|17|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 8:16
| [[Bay St. Louis, Mississippi]], United States
| {{small|[[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight]] title eliminator.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Steven Graham
| TKO (punches)
| rowspan=2|[[UFC 13]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|1997|May|30|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:13
| rowspan=2|[[Augusta, Georgia]], United States
| {{small|Won the [[List of UFC champions#Tournament winners|UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| [[Tony Halme]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:00
| {{small|UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.}}
{{end}}
<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Randy|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Randy-Couture-166|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Sherdog|language=en}}</ref>

== Pay-per-view bouts ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!No.
!Event
!Fight
!Date
!Venue
!City
!PPV Buys
|-
|1.
|[[UFC Japan]]
|'''Smith vs. Couture'''
|December 21, 1997
|[[Yokohama Arena]]
|[[Yokohama, Kanagawa]], Japan
|Unknown<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-155-ultimate-japan |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2.
|[[UFC 28]]
|'''Randleman vs. Couture'''
|November 17, 2000
|[[Mark G. Etess Arena]]
|[[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
|Unknown<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 28: High Stakes {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-28-high-stakes |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|3.
|[[UFC 31]]
|'''Couture vs. Rizzo'''
|May 4, 2001
|[[Mark G. Etess Arena]]
|[[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
|Unknown<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 31: Locked and Loaded {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-31-locked-and-loaded |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|4.
|[[UFC 34]]
|'''Couture vs. Rizzo 2'''
|November 2, 2001
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|65,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 34: High Voltage {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-34-high-voltage |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|5.
|[[UFC 36]]
|'''Couture vs. Barnett '''
|March 22, 2002
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|55,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 36: Worlds Collide {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-36-worlds-collide |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|6.
|[[UFC 39]]
|'''Couture vs. Rodriguez'''
|September 27, 2002
|[[Mohegan Sun Arena]]
|[[Uncasville, Connecticut]], United States
|45,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 39: The Warriors Return {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-39-the-warriors-return |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|7.
|[[UFC 43]]
|'''Liddell vs. Couture'''
|June 6, 2003
|[[Thomas & Mack Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|49,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 43: Meltdown {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-43-meltdown |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|8.
|[[UFC 44]]
|'''Ortiz vs. Couture'''
|September 26, 2003
|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|94,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 44: Undisputed {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-44-undisputed |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|9.
|[[UFC 46]]
|'''Couture vs. Belfort 2'''
|January 31, 2004
|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|80,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 46: Supernatural {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-46-supernatural |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|10.
|[[UFC 49]]
|'''Belfort vs. Couture 3'''
|August 21, 2004
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|80,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 49: Unfinished Business {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-49-unfinished-business |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|11.
|[[UFC 52]]
|'''Couture vs. Liddell 2'''
|April 16, 2005
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|280,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2 {{!}} MMA Event {{!}} Tapology |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-52-couture-vs-liddell-2 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|12.
|[[UFC 57]]
|'''Liddell vs. Couture 3'''
|February 4, 2006
|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|400,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-57-liddell-vs-couture-3 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|13.
|[[UFC 68]]
|'''Sylvia vs. Couture'''
|March 3, 2007
|[[Nationwide Arena]]
|[[Columbus, Ohio]], United States
|540,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 68: Uprising {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-68-uprising |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|14.
|[[UFC 74]]
|'''Couture vs. Gonzaga'''
|August 25, 2007
|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|485,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 74: Respect {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-74-respect |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|15.
|[[UFC 91]]
|'''Couture vs. Lesnar'''
|November 15, 2008
|[[MGM Grand Garden Arena]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|1,010,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 91: Couture vs Lesnar {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-91-couture-vs-lesnar |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|16.
|[[UFC 102]]
|'''Couture vs. Nogueira'''
|August 29, 2009
|[[Moda Center]]
|[[Portland, Oregon]], United States
|435,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-102-couture-vs-nogueira |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|17.
|[[UFC 109]]
|'''Couture vs. Coleman''' 
|February 6, 2010
|[[Mandalay Bay Events Center]]
|[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|285,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 109: Relentless {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-109-relentless |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Key
| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}}
|Denotes works that have not yet been released
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Cradle 2 the Grave]]''
| Fight Club Fighter #8
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[No Rules (film)|No Rules]]''
| Mason
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Today You Die]]''
| Vincent's Bodyguard
| [[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Invincible (2006 film)|Invincible]]''
| "Toruci" Player #1
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[The King of Queens]]''
| Priority Plus Driver
| Uncredited<br>Episode: "Fight Schlub"
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Big Stan]]''
| Carnahan
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[The Unit]]''
| Sgt. Strickland
| 2 Episodes 
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Redbelt]]''
| Dylan Flynn
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior]]''
| Sargon
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2010
| ''[[The Expendables (2010 film)|The Expendables]]''
| [[List of The Expendables characters#Toll Road|Toll Road]]
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Setup (2011 film)|Setup]]''<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1330276/|title=Randy Couture|website=IMDb.com|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{IMDb title|1748197|Setup}}</ref>
| Petey
|
|-
| 2012
| ''Hijacked''
| Paul Ross
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2012
| ''[[The Expendables 2]]''<ref>{{IMDb name|1330276}}</ref><ref>{{IMDb title|1764651|The Expendables II}}</ref>
| Toll Road
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[3 Geezers!|Geezers!]]''<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1825784 |title=3 Geezers! (2013)|website=IMDb.com|access-date=June 18, 2016}}</ref>
| Randy
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Ambushed (2013 film)|Ambushed]]''
| Jack Reiley
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2014
| ''[[The Expendables 3]]''
| Toll Road
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Stretch (2014 film)|Stretch]]''
| Jovi
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]''
|Himself
|
|-
| 2015–2017
| ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''
| Jason Duclair
| 4 episodes
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Hell's Kitchen (American TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]''
| Himself
| Reality show; Guest diner<br>Episode: "[[List of Hell's Kitchen (American TV series) episodes|5 Chefs Compete]]"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Range 15]]''
| Himself
| Indie film
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Nine Legends]]''
| Himself
| Documentary
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Pawn Stars]]''
| Himself
| Reality show<br>Episode: "Pawnie and Clyde"
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Impractical Jokers]]''
| Himself
| Hidden camera prank show<br>Episode: "Pantsing with the Stars"
|-
| 2018
| ''The Row''
| Detective Cole
|
|-
| 2019
| ''D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach''
| Major Cleveland Lytle
| Direct-to-Video
|-
| 2019
| ''The Hard Way''
| Toro / Briggs
| Netflix Movie
|-
| 2020
| ''Final Kill''
| Deacon Long
| Direct-to-Video
|-
| 2022
| ''Blowback''
| Jack
|
|-
| 2022
| ''Demon Hunters'' (aka Demon Pit)
| G Man (Gerald)
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''
| ATF agent Bill Newsome
| [[NCIS: Los Angeles season 14|Season 14]]<br>Episode: [[New Beginnings (NCIS: Los Angeles)|New Beginnings]]
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Expend4bles]]''
| Toll Road
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Outlaw Johnny Black]]''
| Bill Basset
| 
|-
| 2023
| ''[[The Bell Keeper]]''
| Hank
|
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace]]''
| Marcus
|
|}

==Video games==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3]]''
| Commander Warren Fuller
| [[Real Time Strategy]]
|-
| 2010
| ''[[EA Sports MMA]]''
| Himself
| Playable in both Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions
|}

==See also==
*[[List of male mixed martial artists]]
*[[List of UFC champions]]
*[[Double champions in MMA]]
*[[UFC Hall of Fame]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Official website|http://www.thenatural.tv}}
*[http://www.xtremecouture.tv/ Official website for Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts]
*{{Sherdog}}
*{{iMDb name|1330276}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110517205921/http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=1783 Randy Couture profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame]
*[https://www.ufc.com/athlete/randy-couture Official UFC Profile]

{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=3rd [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] |years=December 21, 1997 – October 1, 1998}}
{{S-vac|reason=Couture stripped of title|next=[[Bas Rutten]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Kevin Randleman]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=6th [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] |years=November 17, 2000 – March 22, 2002}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Josh Barnett]]}}
{{S-new|Championship}}
{{S-ttl|title=1st Interim [[UFC Light Heavyweight Champion]]|years=June 6, 2003 – September 26, 2003}}
{{s-vac| next=[[Jon Jones]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Tito Ortiz]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=3rd [[UFC Light Heavyweight Champion]]|years=September 26, 2003 – January 31, 2004}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Vitor Belfort]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Vitor Belfort]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=5th [[UFC Light Heavyweight Champion]]|years=August 21, 2004 – April 16, 2005}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Chuck Liddell]]}}
{{S-bef|before=[[Tim Sylvia]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=13th [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] |years=March 3, 2007 – November 15, 2008}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Brock Lesnar]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{UFC Hall of Fame}}
{{UFC Heavyweight Championship}}
{{UFC Light Heavyweight Championship}}
{{UFC Tournament Champions}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Couture, Randy}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male mixed martial artists]]
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[[Category:American male sport wrestlers]]
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[[Category:Mixed martial arts trainers]]
[[Category:American male video game actors]]
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