UFC Icon Randy Couture Could've Died of Heart Attack If 30-40 Minutes Late to ER

UFC legend Randy Couture has said a heart attack he suffered in October could have killed him, with ER staff telling him a short delay in treatment might have proved fatal.

Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show (h/t MMA On Point), the 56-year-old gave details of the episode with recent ill health:

Couture suffered the heart attack Oct. 23 after feeling unwell during training in Los Angeles' Unbreakable MMA gym, per TMZ Sports.

The three-time UFC heavyweight champion walked to a hospital and received immediate treatment.

In a statement released by Xtreme Couture Management (h/t MMA Fighting) on Oct. 23, the icon explained the procedure he underwent: 

"Contrary to recent rumors, I have not kicked the bucket yet. I am alive and well. Special thanks to the amazing staff at Cedars Sinai Hospital. From the ER to cardiac ICU thanks for taking care of me."

"I’m one of those people that has crazy thick blood and nominally high bad cholesterol. Unfortunately, those 2 factors combined to create a nice clot including my diagonal artery. The (catheterization laboratory) at Cedars got right on it, cleared it out and placed a stent in its place."

Couture was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006 and remains one of the most influential MMA fighters in history.

The Las Vegas-born legend has taken a career up in acting. Couture is expected to make a full recovery after the health scare.