Randy Couture: Legend, Champion, Hero

Randy Couture has done it all in his long MMA career.

The three-time Heavyweight Champion and two-time Light Heavyweight Champion is the only man to hold titles in two different  UFC weight classes.

Couture is no joke—he has fought the best since entering the Octagon for the first time in 1997.

After his win over Vitor Belfort at UFC 15, he has compiled a 15-8 record against the top fighters in each division.

Randy Couture is a legend in Mixed Martial Arts. He has been with the UFC through the dark days and seen it emerge in glory.

Coming from a wrestling background, Couture honed his skills over the years to become a complete martial artist. He liked to dictate the pace of his fights, and always showed up in tremendous shape, ready to go the distance.

Couture retired in 2006 after his second loss in a row to Chuck Liddell. At 42 years old, he was ready to start a different stage in his life.

Or so he thought.

The retirement lasted about a year—until the UFC came calling with a Heavyweight Title match against Tim Sylvia in March of this year.

Couture came in as an underdog, as he was in most of his fights. The crowd cheered him from the opening bell.

I was there. It gave me chills.

When it was over, Randy Couture was the champion again—a true People's Champion.

Gabriel Gonzaga was the next to face the champ for the belt. Critics said Couture was too old—but he defied the odds once again with a second round TKO of the Brazilian.

That win left the UFC Heavyweight division wide open, with no true No. 1 contender. Rumors spread that Fedor Emelianeko would be signed to fight for the title on Super Bowl weekend, but it didn't happen—and Randy left the UFC.

Couture felt that Fedor was his only real remaining challenge at 44 years old.

He was right.

All drama aside, there's no looking past what Randy Couture has done for his sport. He's a pioneer, a legend, a hero.

He didn't leave to be a movie star; he didn't leave because he wasn't making enough money. He left because he didn't have any personal challenges left in the UFC.

At this point his career, that's all that can keep Couture motivated.

Randy Couture will fight again—and UFC fans will welcome him back. He's no sell out. He's a legend in every sense of the word.

And we're lucky to have him for as long as we can.