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