UFC 129 Fight Card: Will a Loss Tarnish Couture's Legacy or Is It Set in Stone?

Randy Couture is an MMA legend. 

With a record of 19-10, Couture is a five-time UFC Champion.

Three of those times have been at heavyweight while the other two have been at light heavyweight. 

Couture is also a UFC tournament winner and Hall of Famer. 

If you judged by his age alone, you might think the 47-year-old should have retired at least seven years ago. 

But Randy has continued to be one of the best fighters in the world. 

Most guys who bring up retirement talks are usually riding bad losing streaks. 

Couture, on the other hand, currently has a three-fight win streak. 

Of these wins, one was against fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, and while his latest was against boxer James Toney. 

At UFC 129, Couture will face one of his biggest tests to date as he takes on former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (16-2).

Machida is looking to get back into the win column after a knockout loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and a controversial split decision loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. 

Due to Machida’s elusive style, he’s very difficult to prepare for. 

Some may question why Couture would take such a fight. 

While he’s still in great condition, he’s not the fighter he once was. He may be too slow and too old for Machida. 

But Couture is a master strategist. 

Couture’s game planning is one of the things that have brought him longevity. 

Although Couture may not stand a chance, I believe nothing can take away from his legacy. 

He’s accomplished far too much in his career, and he is not a guy who is coming off of a bunch of KO losses. 

If anything, this fight will cement his legacy even more. 

Win, lose or draw, for Couture to even be competing at the level that he has been at his age is unbelievable.

Nothing can take away what he has accomplished in his career.