Randy Couture: My greatest MMA fighter of all time
I will never forget October 17, 1997.
I was a junior in high school, growing up in West Texas. There wasn’t much to do in our quiet town except try and get our hands on some alcohol and head to the nearest pump jack. For those who are unfamiliar, a pump jack is what takes the oil out of the ground. For some reason we thought it was an appropriate place to drink and feel free.
That day was the date for UFC 15: Collision Course. My friends and I gathered around the television to see the latest greatest thing to come into our lives. Sure, some of us still watched the WWE, but this was something new, and we all recognized the difference.
Looking back on the fight card, you might scoff. To do this day, I only remember two fights on that card.
The first was Maurice Smith vs. David “Tank” Abbott. How could you not remember Tank? He was the embodiment of a scary-looking bar-room brawler. I think just about every one of my friends, including me, picked him to destroy the young Vitor Belfort at UFC 13. Were we ever wrong! Now everyone was picking Vitor to destroy Randy Couture. Although, I must admit, we were all rooting for the American to win.
As we watched Randy uppercut Vitor, over and over, we looked at each other in shock and anticipation. Could Couture actually win?! Then Vitor sunk to the canvas as if he had nothing left to give. Randy mounted him and unleashed a barrage of punches and knees before the fight was stopped.
What happened after that was a little hazy but if you’ve ever seen a group of guys react to their favorite sports team winning then you get the idea. We all sensed there was something different about this fighter.
At Ultimate Japan, December 21, 1997, Randy Couture went on to win the heavyweight title for the first time from Maurice Smith. For us group of guys, still trying to figure out life in West Texas, we had found a hero.
I don’t recall much about the contract dispute that caused him to lose his title. I learned that probably years after the fact. We all went our separate ways, after graduating in May of 1998; some kept in touch better then others. What I do remember, was UFC 28, November 17, 2000. I was a sophomore in college at the time, still stuck in West Texas. I remember seeing Randy Couture defeat Kevin Randleman to re-claim his heavyweight title and those old feelings came rushing back.
Our champ had returned to his rightful place.
Randy went on to have a storied career. While he doesn’t have the greatest record he still feels like one of the greats. He has always had a sense purpose and timing. And we can see that once again in his latest return to the octagon. He didn’t get his way, and so he was forced to return on the UFC’s terms. I don’t necessarily agree with every decision he has made.
But we give our heroes leeway, and I have come to terms with that.
I can’t say that I’m not nervous for this final chapter is his career. He has agreed to fight three more fights before retiring, alas once and for all. If he loses to Brock I am not sure where he would go from there. Many are anticipating a passing of the torch.
I am anticipating one more chance to see him defy the odds.
For me, like for so many others, Couture has come to define what mixed martial arts is all about.
That is why he is my greatest MMA fighter of all time.
