The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023
Randy Couture
- Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023
- Embed from Getty Images
- Sport(s): Mixed Martial Arts
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Statistics:
30-11 MMA record
3-Time UFC Heavyweight Champion
2-Time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
1-Time Interim Light Heavyweight Champion
1 90 kg Pan-American Games Gold Medal (1991)
2 190 lb World Cup Bronze Medals (1991 & 1992)
2 190 lb NCAA Division I Silver Medals (1991 & 1992)
3-Time All-American (1990, 1991 & 1992)
Member of the UFC Hall of Fame -
One of the first elite Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the UFC, Randy Couture is the first fighter to have won World Titles in multiple weight classes.
A three-time All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State, Couture debuted at UFC 13 as a late substitution and surprised everyone by winning the tournament. Couture would later beat Maurice Smith for the UFC heavyweight championship, only to relinquish it over a contract dispute. He came back at UFC 28 to beat Kevin Randleman, and he defended his title twice before losing to Josh Barnett.
Couture continued to fight, winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Title three times (one interim), engaging in classic battles with Chuck Lidell. He won the heavyweight title for a third time in 2007, when he was 45 years old, making him then (and still) the oldest person to win a title in the UFC. After a successful title defense, he lost his title to Brock Lesnar.
As of this writing, Couture holds the records for the most UFC title reigns (6) and UFC championships matches (15).
We are proud to nominate Randy Couture for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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