Randy Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer known for his heavyweight and light heavyweight achievements, reminisced about his remarkable career, which concluded in 2011 with multiple UFC championship titles. Along the way, Couture went head-to-head with formidable opponents such as Mark Coleman, Tim Sylvia, Vitor Belfort, and Tito Ortiz, solidifying his status as a legend in the sport. Among his 30 professional fights, Couture notably defeated three-weight boxing champion James Toney and clashed with iconic fighters like Brock Lesnar and Lyoto Machida.
Reflecting on his career, Couture revealed that despite enduring seven knockout losses in his 19-11 record, it was Chuck Liddell who managed to knock him out cold. Their trilogy of matches saw Couture emerging victorious in their initial bout in 2003 by TKO. Nevertheless, Liddell secured quick KO wins in their subsequent encounters, leaving Couture with a rare memory lapse from a blow he received almost two decades ago.
“I’ve only been knocked out once, and that was by Chuck Liddell in our second fight,” shared Couture in an exclusive interview. Recalling the moment, he added, “There were instances where I got rocked, like when Brock got me, but that second fight with Chuck was the only time I lost consciousness. It’s a strange feeling—one second you’re fine, the next you’re trying to make sense of it all. It was definitely a unique experience.”
In discussions about the greatest MMA fighters, Couture weighed in on the concept of a fighter “Mount Rushmore.” While names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones often dominate the conversation, Couture pointed out that their off-the-ring controversies could tarnish their legacies. He raised concerns about McGregor and Jones’ behavior outside the octagon, emphasizing that true greatness extends beyond fighting skills to encompass conduct both inside and outside the fighting arena. According to Couture, these attributes are fundamental in determining a fighter’s place among the MMA elite.
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