UFC News: Randy Couture Likely To Be Featured in "UFC Undisputed" Franchise

Although UFC 129 will be the final time Randy Couture competes in the Octagon, it is likely fans can expect to see him compete again—this time, however, in the virtual Octagon. 

ESPN.com reports that the 47-year-old Couture is in talks to become a playable character in the next installment of the THQ-licensed video game UFC Undisputed.

During 2008, Couture was in a contract dispute with the UFC and ultimately signed with EA Sports to appear alongside Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko in EA Sports MMA. The deal with EA Sports prevented Couture from appearing in the past two releases of UFC Undisputed. Now that Couture's contract has expired with EA Sports, he said he is available for THQ's next installment.

"We’ve talked about me being in the video game this time around,” Couture said. “Obviously, all that stuff with EA Sports happened in a transition period, before I came back [to the UFC].

The deal is anything but confirmed, according to UFC president Dana White, who spoke to ESPN via text message. 

"We do not have a deal with Randy yet," White said.

And while Couture has had his problems with the UFC in the past, he said he is retiring on good terms with the company. 

"I think both Zuffa [parent company of the UFC] and myself have come to a much stronger relationship," Couture said. "We have a better understanding of each other and they've left me alone to do my thing while I still comply with rules and regulations they set forth for other fighters," Couture said. 

There is no official release date for the next installment of UFC Undisputed, although THQ is targeting early 2012.