Randy Duane Couture, a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, and actor, was born on June 22, 1963.
Throughout his illustrious career, Couture has achieved numerous accolades, including being a three-time former heavyweight champion and a two-time light-heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
A trailblazer in the world of mixed martial arts, Couture is the first fighter to hold two UFC championship titles in two different divisions, heavyweight and light heavyweight.
He has competed in a record 15 title fights and holds the most title reigns in the UFC with five. Couture's last fight with Lyoto Machida put him in a tie with Matt Hughes for having the highest number of fights in the UFC at 24.
A highly respected figure in the world of MMA, Couture is one of the first members of the UFC Hall of Fame and is widely regarded as one of the greatest in MMA history.
Currently ranked as the #10 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world by Yahoo! Sports, Couture's impressive record and numerous achievements have cemented his place as a legendary figure in the sport.
Prior to his professional fighting career, Couture was an Olympic wrestling alternate and served as an assistant wrestling coach and strength and conditioning coach for Oregon State University.
He co-founded Team Quest, a training camp for fighters, based out of Gresham, Oregon, and headed by coach Robert Folis. In 2005, Couture moved to Las Vegas, where he opened his own extensive chain of gyms under the name Xtreme Couture.
He currently trains at his Las Vegas-based gym and has also partnered with Bas Rutten in the opening of Legends Gym in Hollywood, California.
Known for his clinch and ground-and-pound fighting style, Couture uses his wrestling ability to execute take downs, establish top position, and strike the opponent on the bottom.
A skilled fighter with a variety of skills in Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Couture has submitted three opponents using different chokeholds.
Couture is the only athlete in UFC history to win a championship after becoming a Hall of Fame member and is the oldest title holder ever in the UFC and MMA.
Along with Chuck Liddell, Couture is credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American sports and pop culture.
