Randy Couture Pushes for More Rights, Benefits for Fighters

In an interview with ESPN.com, Randy Couture expressed worries over fighters receiving certain benefits and compensations during, and after, their careers.

The former five-time UFC champion, although not wanting to start a war over fighters’ rights or unionization, does believe that Zuffa should be open to other options that will take care of their athletes.

“Health insurance for fighters when they’re not competing is a huge issue,” Couture told ESPN.com. “There are a few fighters who could call up the UFC and say, ‘Look, I need some help, I blew out my knee in practice,’ and the UFC is going to help them. They’ve been generous, but they can’t do that with everyone. There are over 200 fighters.”

Couture expressed interests in mediating the issue personally, saying that, “I’d rather sit down with the UFC, [president] Dana White and [CEO] Lorenzo Fertitta and figure out a way to implement some things with their blessing.”

With retirement looming after what Couture announced as his final bout against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in Toronto at UFC 129, “The Natural” also commented on taking care of fighters after their careers are over.

“How about a retirement plan of some sort? Or at least educate these guys on how to take care of their money. How many MMA stars, five or six years from now, are going to be broke and destitute? We’ve seen that in boxing, and it’s a shame. An absolute shame.”

But Couture does not believe unions are the way to go in MMA, fearing problems similar to the NFL’s lockout.

“There’s a give and take there. [Unions] can sometimes get carried away.”

Hoping that the question of unions becomes unnecessary, Couture said, “It would be great to sit down and figure out a way to take care of the guys in this company so that everybody feels good about it and no one is in a position to have too much power or for a fighter to take advantage of a union and hold out.”