| Randy Couture | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Couture in 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Randall Duane Couture (1963-06-22)June 22, 1963 (age 62) Everett, Washington, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | The Natural | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Las Vegas,Nevada, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Light Heavyweight (2003–2006; 2009–2011) Heavyweight (1997–2003; 2007–2009; 2010) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Greco-Roman Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Team Quest (1999–2006) Xtreme Couture (2006–2011) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt inNeil Melanson'sSubmission wrestling System | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | NCAADivision IWrestling Olympic AlternateGreco-Roman Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 1997–2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Oklahoma State University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relatives | Ryan Couture (son) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable school | Lynnwood High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | randycouture | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Military career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch | United States Army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1982–1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank |  Sergeant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit |  101st Airborne Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other work | Professionalmixed martial arts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randall Duane Couture (/koʊˈtʊər/; born June 22, 1963) is an Americanmixed martial arts commentator, actor, formerUnited States Armysergeant, former professional mixed martial artist, and formercollegiate andGreco-Roman wrestler.[1] During his tenures in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he became a three-timeUFC Heavyweight Champion, two-timeUFC Light Heavyweight Champion, an interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, making him a six-time UFC Champion and theUFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament winner.[2][3] He is the first fighter in history to win a UFC championship in two different divisions.[4] As of 2025[update] he serves as a commentator and analyst for theProfessional Fighters League.[5]
Couture has competed in 16 title fights. He is tied for the record for the most wins in UFC Heavyweight Championship bouts (6) with former UFC Heavyweight championStipe Miocic.[6] He had the most title reigns in the UFC, with six. His last fight withLyoto Machida marked his 24th fight in the UFC. He is the fourth member of theUFC Hall of Fame. He is one of only two fighters over the age of 40 to have won a UFC championship fight,[7] having done so four times. He is one of the few MMA champions to regain a title he had lost, and the only to have done it three times (twice at heavyweight, once at light heavyweight).[8]
Couture was anOlympic wrestling alternate and has lived inCorvallis, Oregon throughout much of his career, where he served as an assistant wrestling coach and a strength and conditioning coach forOregon State University.[9] He establishedTeam Quest withMatt Lindland andDan Henderson, a training camp for fighters, based out ofGresham, Oregon,[10][11] and headed by coach Robert Folis. In 2005, he moved to Las Vegas, where he opened his own extensive chain of gyms under the nameXtreme Couture.[12] He partnered withBas Rutten to open Legends Gym inHollywood,California.[13]
Couture is generally recognized as aclinch andground-and-pound fighter who uses his wrestling ability to executetake downs, establishtop position and successively strike the opponent on the bottom.[14] He has displayed a variety of skills inboxing andcatch wrestling. He is the only UFC fighter to win a championship after becoming aHall-of-Famer and is the oldest champion in MMA history at age 45.[15]
Couture was born inEverett, Washington, the son of Sharan Amelia (née King) and Edward Lewis "Ed" Couture.[16][17] Hewrestled atLynnwood High School inLynnwood, Washington, where he won a state championship during his senior year in wrestling. Afterwards he served in theU.S. Army from 1982 to 1988, attaining the rank of Sergeant in the101st Airborne, where he "wrestled and did a little boxing."[18][19]
While he was in the Army he applied for tryouts with the U.S. Armyfreestyle wrestling team; however, due to a clerical error his application was sent to theGreco-Roman wrestling tryouts and rather than wait until the next year he decided to pursue it. Despite never having competed in Greco-Roman he made the team.[20] He went on to win the U.S. Army Europe title and made the All-Army team.[21]
Upon discharge, Couture became a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996), a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials, a three-timeNCAA Division IAll-American and a two-time NCAA Division I runner-up (1991 and 1992) atOklahoma State University.[22] In 1992, he was the Division I runner-up at 190 pounds (86 kg), coming in second afterMark Kerr.[23] From 1989 to 1992 he accumulated a collegiate wrestling record of 113-42. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in literature.[24]
Being called to the tournament as an alternate on three weeks' notice,[25] Couture made his professional mixed martial arts debut atUFC 13[26] on May 30, 1997, as part of a four-manheavyweight tournament.[27] His first opponent wasTony Halme, who outweighed him by nearly 100 pounds (45 kg; 7.1 st).[28] Couture immediately hit a double-leg takedown and, after some ground and pound, moved toback mount and secured arear naked choke submission to win in under a minute.[29] In the tournament final, he defeated Steven Graham, another larger opponent (290 lb), byTKO at 3:13 into the first round.[30]
On October 17, 1997, atUFC 15, Couture foughtVitor Belfort to determine the number one contender for theUFC Heavyweight Championship.[31] Couture was an underdog, as 19-year-old Belfort was theUFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Champion, winning all of his matches with devastating punches.[32] After circling away from Belfort's left hand, Couture got theclinch. The fighters broke up and, when Belfort attempted a flurry of punches, Couture hit a takedown. He immediately gainedside control and landed strikes. As Belfort scrambled to his feet, Couture landed knee strikes. He clinched again and wore Belfort down with dirty boxing. By the 7-minute mark, Belfort was exhausted. Couture again took him down, and finished him with punches from back mount, for one of the biggest upsets in MMA at the time.[33]
AtUFC Japan on December 21, Couture challenged theUFC Heavyweight Champion,Maurice Smith to his second title defense since winning the belt fromMark Coleman earlier that year.[34] It was a slow-paced fight, and neither fighter significantly damaged the other, but Couture hit several takedowns and held positional control throughout the fight. After 21 minutes, he won a majority decision and became the new UFC Heavyweight Champion.[35] Though this win was controversial as many believe Smith did enough to win the fight.
In 1998, UFC matchmakers wanted Couture to defend the belt against Bas Rutten, former King ofPancrase. Couture instead signed withVale Tudo Japan, and was stripped of the title.[36][37] He had his first and only match againstShooto veteran and grappling specialistEnson Inoue.[38] After taking the fight to the ground, Couture tapped out to an armbar, just over 90 seconds into the bout.[39]
Still in Japan, Couture was signed up withFighting Network RINGS, debuting againstMikhail Illoukhine on March 20, 1999, inRINGS.[40] Couture submitted to akimura, though the loss was controversial due to Illoukhine locking the hold while they were being re-positioned on the center of the ring.[41] After that loss, he took a break from MMA to focus on his amateur wrestling career.
Couture returned to MMA in October 2000, for theRINGS King of Kings Tournament 2000.[42] He won a unanimous decision over UFC veteranJeremy Horn in his first fight,[43] and then another overPancrase veteranRyūshi Yanagisawa.[44] These two wins qualified him for the final event of the tournament, in March 2001. Before that, he was offered a shot at theUFC Heavyweight Championship againstKevin Randleman on November 17, 2000. He was taken down in the first two rounds, but defended well from his back, negating most of Randleman's ground and pound attempts. In the third round, he tripped Randleman to the mat and landed several strikes fromfull mount for a TKO victory and his second UFC Heavyweight Championship.[45]
In February 2001, Couture continued in the RINGS King of Kings Tournament 2000 Final.[46] After winning an even decision over veteranTsuyoshi Kohsaka in the first fight,[47] he got caught in aguillotine choke byValentijn Overeem after committing himself in a takedown and had to submit.[48]Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira won the tournament, and Couture returned to the UFC.
His first title defense was against BraziliankickboxerPedro Rizzo, atUFC 31. This was the first UFC event underZuffa management, withDana White as the new president. Both fighters inflicted substantial damage. After five 5-minute rounds, Couture won a close unanimous decision.[49] Some fans felt Rizzo had won, so the UFC set up an immediate rematch forUFC 34, in November 2001. This time, Couture won decisively by TKO in the third round.[50]
His third title defense was in March 2002, against up-and-comerJosh Barnett. In the second round, Barnett mounted Couture and landed several strikes to win the title by TKO.[51] After the fight, it was revealed Barnett had tested positive foranabolic steroids. He was subsequently stripped of the title and cut from the UFC.[52]
Couture then facedRicco Rodriguez for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship atUFC 39, in late 2002.[53] After dominating the first three rounds, 39-year-old Couture became noticeably fatigued. In the fifth round, Rodriguez took him down and landed an elbow strike to his orbital bone, breaking it and making him submit.[54] This was the first time a UFC fight had finished in the fifth round.
After two consecutive losses to larger opponents in theheavyweight division, Couture moved down to thelight heavyweight division.[55] In his light heavyweight debut, he fought long-time number one contenderChuck Liddell for the UFC Interim Light heavyweight Championship.[56] He was again the underdog but, after outstriking Liddell for three rounds, took the fight to the ground and won by TKO via strikes from full mount,[57] becoming the first UFC fighter to win titles in two weight classes.[58]
His next match, against five-time defending championTito Ortiz, was billed as a "Champion vs. Champion" fight. 40-year-old Couture won a unanimous decision to become the undisputed UFC Light heavyweight Champion.[59][60]
Couture's first title defense was againstVitor Belfort, whom he had previously defeated in 1997 atUFC 15.[61] In the first round, as Couture closed the distance to attempt a clinch, Belfort grazed his right eye with a left hook. His glove opened a cut, and Belfort was declared the winner when the cageside doctor advised the fight be stopped. A rubber match took place later that year.[62] Couture dominated all three rounds before winning by doctor stoppage due to a cut, and became a two-time UFC Light heavyweight Champion.[63]
On April 16, 2005, in a rematch with Liddell, Couture lost his title and suffered the first knockout loss of his career.[64] He came back in August to defeatMike van Arsdale and reestablish himself as a top contender.[65] He faced Liddell for the third and final time in a championship match atUFC 57, on February 4, 2006. He was knocked out in the second round and, immediately afterwards, announced his retirement from MMA.[66][67]
On June 24, 2006, onThe Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale, Couture became the fourth inductee to theUFC Hall of Fame, joiningRoyce Gracie,Dan Severn, andKen Shamrock.[68]
After retiring from MMA, Couture became a regular broadcast commentator for UFC events and co-host ofBefore the Bell andAfter the Bell onThe Fight Network.[69] He appeared in theRob Schneider movieBig Stan, with fellow mixed martial artistsDon Frye andBob Sapp.[70]
On November 17, 2006, Couture fought and drew withBrazilian jiu-jitsu championRonaldo "Jacare" Souza in asubmission wrestling contest.[71] After the match Couture invited Souza to train at his gym. Souza accepted and started training atXtreme Couture in Las Vegas.[72]
Couture was featured in the season two premiere episode of the Spike TV showPros vs. Joes, which aired January 25, 2007.[73][74] His teammates on the episode wereMichael Irvin,Kevin Willis, andJosé Canseco.[75] He returned for the finale, where he took part in afootball-based round. His teammates were Willis,Randall Cunningham,Bruce Smith,Roy Jones Jr., andTim Hardaway.[76]
On January 11, 2007, Couture announced his return from retirement in an interview on the Spike TV magazine show, "Inside the UFC".[77] In a conversation withJoe Rogan, he confirmed he would faceTim Sylvia for the UFC Heavyweight Championship atUFC 68, on March 3, 2007.[78] He also announced he had signed a four-fight, two-year deal with the UFC.
At the age of 43, Couture defeated Sylvia by unanimous decision to become UFC Heavyweight Champion for a third time (a UFC record).[79] Couture's first punch, eight seconds into the fight, sent the6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) Sylvia to the mat.[80] He controlled the pace of the fight for five rounds, smothering Sylvia with strikes and numerous takedowns. All three judges scored the bout 50–45 for Couture.[81]
AtUFC 74 on August 25, 2007, Couture successfully defended the title against BrazilianGabriel Gonzaga,[82] defeating him via TKO by strikes. This fight earned him aFight of the Night award.[83] Couture suffered a broken left arm when he blocked one of Gonzaga's kicks.[84] The kick cleanly split hisulna, requiring him to wear asplint for six weeks.
On October 11, 2007, Couture announced he was severing all ties with the UFC, leaving two contracted fights, a position as an on-air analyst and the UFC Heavyweight Championship behind. He received $250,000 (plus $936,000 of PPV revenue) for his comeback fight withTim Sylvia. He received a $250,000 purse for defeatingGabriel Gonzaga (plus a $35,000 "Fight of the Night" bonus and $787,000 in PPV revenue).[83] He complainedChuck Liddell was allegedly paid more than he was, despite losing his previous two fights.[85] Couture cited theUFC's failure to sign #1 rankedHeavyweight fighterFedor Emelianenko, as well as disputes with UFC management, for his decision.[86][87]
On October 18, 2007, UFC president Dana White said Couture remained the UFC Heavyweight Champion despite his plans to quit, and reiterated he would not release Couture from the final two fights on his contract.[88] Couture held a press conference on October 25, 2007, where he denied his departure from UFC was a "retirement", set forth his grievances about his pay, and reiterated his belief that he would be free from any contractual obligations to the UFC after nine months.[89]
On October 30, 2007, White andZuffa CEO Lorenzo Fertitta held another press conference, where White reiterated the UFC's position of twelve days prior,[90] and released documents refuting Couture's claims about the pay he received.[91]
They met again on Thanksgiving weekend to discuss a possible UFC return,[92] but Couture said he had no desire to do so at the time.
Cornering some of his fighters fromXtreme Couture atHDNet Fights on December 15 in Dallas, Couture answered questions aboutFedor Emelianenko, stating that he would like to fight him in October, once hisUFC contract expired, if the UFC could not come to a co-promotion agreement withRussia'sM-1 Global beforehand.[93]
On January 15, 2008, Zuffa filed a lawsuit inClark County District Court in Nevada, citing breach of contract and irreparable damage,[94] seeking over $10,000 in damages. This suit only concerned Couture's employment contract and not his promotional contract. On February 28, 2008, Judge Jennifer Togliatti handed down the first ruling in the case, issuing apreliminary injunction barring Couture from participating in anIFL event held the following day.[95]
On August 2, 2008, a Texas appeals court granted Zuffa's request for a stay against a motion for a declaratory judgment in a suit filed byHDNet regarding Couture's contractual status with the UFC. The stay effectively ended the dispute in the state of Texas, and Zuffa was allowed to move forward with the Nevada suit.[96][97]
On September 2, 2008, the UFC announced it had signed Couture to a new three-fight contract. On November 15, he returned atUFC 91 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lost theUFC Heavyweight Championship toBrock Lesnar.[98] After a close first round, Lesnar knocked Couture down in the second round and struck him with hammerfists for a TKO victory at 3:07.[99] In a post-fight interview withJoe Rogan, Couture declared his desire to keep fighting and said he felt he was still becoming a better fighter, blaming the loss on his performance, not his age.
On August 29, 2009, Couture faced former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion and formerPRIDE Heavyweight ChampionAntônio Rodrigo Nogueira atUFC 102 in Portland, Oregon,[100] and lost by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28). After the bout, Couture stated he felt he was in the best shape of his life, and would wait and see what the UFC had in store for him. The fight received the "Fight of the Night" award.[101]
After the Nogueira loss, Couture signed a new six-fight deal, which superseded his previous contract.[102]
On November 14, 2009, atUFC 105, Couture facedBrandon Vera. Vera landed effective strikes and scored a takedown, but Couture won a somewhat controversial unanimous decision.[103] The fight was his first at Light heavyweight since losing to Chuck Liddell in 2006.[104][105] With the win, the 46-year-old Couture became the oldest fighter to win a UFC bout.
Couture fought fellow UFC Hall of FamerMark Coleman atUFC 109.[106] The bout marked the first time UFC Hall of Famers fought each other in the UFC. They were scheduled to meet atUFC 17 in 1998, but an injury to Couture forced the cancellation of the bout.[107] They wrestled each other in a freestyle match at the 1989 Olympic Festival atOklahoma State University; Coleman won the match by one point. Couture modified his training for this bout, focusing on catch wrestling and refining his boxing under coach Gil Martinez.[108] The combined age of these fighters (91) is the highest in any UFC match.[109][110] Couture made Coleman pass out to a rear-naked choke submission in the second round, getting his first submission win in over four years.
Couture was scheduled to fightRich Franklin atUFC 115, but Franklin instead fought Chuck Liddell, replacing Liddell's original opponent,Tito Ortiz. Couture instead faced three-time boxing world championJames Toney atUFC 118. Couture dominated Toney, taking him down and mounting him within seconds, and quickly making him submit to anarm triangle choke. The match achieved notoriety, though it drew criticisms of being afreak show fight, among them by UFC PresidentDana White himself.[111] Many also felt that this fight had been made as an attempt to repair damage done to the credibility of MMA afterRay Mercer knocked out former UFC Heavyweight ChampionTim Sylvia.[112]
Couture had stated he was interested in fighting eitherLyoto Machida orMaurício Rua (in a non-title bout). Since Rua had an upcoming title defense againstJon Jones, UFC matchmakers gave him Machida. They fought on April 30, 2011, atUFC 129, before 55,000 fans in Toronto.[113] Couture had stated before the bout it would be his final fight. Machida knocked him out in the second round with a jumpingfront kick.[114] After the fight, Couture announced he was "finally done fighting", at the age of 47.[115]
On January 29, 2013, Couture signed withBellator to be a coach in the first season of their reality show,Fight Master: Bellator MMA which debuted in June 2013.[116] Couture also did commentary forBellator 96.
Couture made a cameo appearance in the direct-to-videoSteven Seagal filmToday You Die and on the season finale of theCBS showThe Unit, as a military guard.[117] He played fight commentator Terry Flynn in the filmRedbelt.[118] He appeared on an episode ofThe History Channel showHuman Weapon on September 27, 2007, and starred in the 2008 filmThe Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior.[119] He played Toll Road in the 2010 movieThe Expendables and reprised the role in the2012,2014 and2023 sequels. He did severalpublic service announcements, one againstcrystal meth.[120] He starred alongside50 Cent andBruce Willis in the 2011 film,Setup, as an enforcer named Petey.[121]
In 2012, he played the leading role of hard-bitten cop Paul Ross in Brandon Nutt's action filmHijacked, alongsideDominic Purcell.[122]
On September 4, 2014, it was announced that Couture would be one of the celebrities competing on the19th season ofDancing with the Stars. He paired with professional dancerKarina Smirnoff.[123] The couple was eliminated on the third week of competition finishing in eleventh place.[124]
Couture has appeared in 4 episodes of the TV seriesHawaii Five-0 as Jason Duclair.[125]
Couture appeared onImpractical Jokers as a guest during Sal Vulcano's punishment in the episode "Pantsing with the Stars". In that episode, Vulcano, who refused an instruction during a challenge where he was posing as a Krav Maga instructor, was given a surprise punishment by the other Jokers in that he then had to wrestle Couture and attempt to “pants” him.[126]
In 2019, Couture starred alongsideLuke Goss[127] andMichael Jai White[128] in the movieThe Hard Way, which was among the most popular watched movies onNetflix.[129] He also appeared in the filmOutlaw Johnny Black.[130]
In July 2019, Couture appeared on an episode of the Outdoor Channel showGunnytime entitled "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work".[131]
In June 2025, Couture starred alongsideJennifer Esposito andTommy Davidson in the movieF Plus.[132]
Couture was previously married to Sharon, Tricia, and Kim Couture (née Borrego).[133][134] He and Kim filed for divorce in May 2009. He continued to coach her and support her MMA career.[135] He has three children, including Aimee,Ryan, and Caden “Cooter” Couture as well as four grandchildren. He often works with and is the long-term partner ofMindy Robinson.[136]
Asked if MMA could be improved, he suggested health insurance, retirement plans as well as more equal compensation regarding other athletes and sports.[137] He lives in Las Vegas.[138] He enjoys hunting.[139]
In 2012, Couture was inducted into theInternational Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF) presented by sports legendDr. Robert M. Goldman.[3] In 2018, he was inducted into theNational Wrestling Hall of Fame and was an Outstanding American honoree.[140]
On October 23, 2019, Couture suffered aheart attack after training and walked himself to a nearby hospital. Following a successful operation, Couture made a full recovery.[141]
Following a racing crash accident in July 2025, Couture had to be airlifted to a hospital withfirst and second-degree burns.[142] He was discharged shortly thereafter.[143]
| 30 matches | 19 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 7 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 8 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 19–11 | Lyoto Machida | KO (front kick) | UFC 129 | April 30, 2011 | 2 | 1:05 | Toronto,Ontario, Canada | Retired after bout. |
| Win | 19–10 | James Toney | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 118 | August 28, 2010 | 1 | 3:19 | Boston,Massachusetts, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 18–10 | Mark Coleman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 109 | February 6, 2010 | 2 | 1:09 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | First everUFC Hall of Famer vs.UFC Hall of Famer bout in UFC history. |
| Win | 17–10 | Brandon Vera | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 105 | November 14, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester,United Kingdom | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 16–10 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 102 | August 29, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 16–9 | Brock Lesnar | TKO (punches) | UFC 91 | November 15, 2008 | 2 | 3:07 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Lost theUFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–8 | Gabriel Gonzaga | TKO (punches) | UFC 74 | August 25, 2007 | 3 | 1:37 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Defended theUFC Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 15–8 | Tim Sylvia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 68 | March 3, 2007 | 5 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | Return to Heavyweight. Won theUFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–8 | Chuck Liddell | KO (punch) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 2 | 1:28 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | For theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–7 | Mike van Arsdale | Submission (anaconda choke) | UFC 54 | August 20, 2005 | 3 | 0:52 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7 | Chuck Liddell | KO (punches) | UFC 52 | April 16, 2005 | 1 | 2:06 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | TUF 1 coaches fight, Lost theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–6 | Vitor Belfort | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 49 | August 21, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Won theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 12–6 | Vitor Belfort | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 46 | January 31, 2004 | 1 | 0:49 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Lost theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–5 | Tito Ortiz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 44 | September 26, 2003 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Won and unified theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–5 | Chuck Liddell | TKO (punches) | UFC 43 | June 6, 2003 | 3 | 2:39 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. Won the interimUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 10–5 | Ricco Rodriguez | TKO (submission to elbow) | UFC 39 | September 27, 2002 | 5 | 3:04 | Montville, Connecticut, United States | For the vacantUFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 10–4 | Josh Barnett | TKO (punches) | UFC 36 | March 22, 2002 | 2 | 4:35 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Lost theUFC Heavyweight Championship. Barnett subsequently tested positive for banned substances and the championship was vacated. |
| Win | 10–3 | Pedro Rizzo | TKO (punches) | UFC 34 | November 2, 2001 | 3 | 1:38 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Defended theUFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–3 | Pedro Rizzo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 31 | May 4, 2001 | 5 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended theUFC Heavyweight Championship. 2001 Fight of the Year. |
| Loss | 8–3 | Valentijn Overeem | Submission (guillotine choke) | Rings: King of Kings 2000 Final | February 24, 2001 | 1 | 0:56 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 8–2 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 5:00 | ||||
| Win | 7–2 | Kevin Randleman | TKO (punches) | UFC 28 | November 17, 2000 | 3 | 4:13 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won theUFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–2 | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Decision (majority) | Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A | October 9, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–2 | Jeremy Horn | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | ||||
| Loss | 4–2 | Mikhail Ilyukhin | Submission (kimura) | Rings: Rise 1st | March 20, 1999 | 1 | 7:43 | Japan | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Enson Inoue | Submission (armbar) | Vale Tudo Japan 1998 | October 25, 1998 | 1 | 1:39 | Japan | |
| Win | 4–0 | Maurice Smith | Decision (majority) | UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan | December 21, 1997 | 1 | 21:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | Won theUFC Heavyweight Championship; later vacated title due to a contract dispute. |
| Win | 3–0 | Vitor Belfort | TKO (punches) | UFC 15 | October 17, 1997 | 1 | 8:16 | Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States | UFC Heavyweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 2–0 | Steven Graham | TKO (punches) | UFC 13 | May 30, 1997 | 1 | 3:13 | Augusta, Georgia, United States | Won theUFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 1–0 | Tony Halme | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 1:00 | UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals. |
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC Japan | Smith vs. Couture | December 21, 1997 | Yokohama Arena | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | Unknown[171] |
| 2. | UFC 28 | Randleman vs. Couture | November 17, 2000 | Mark G. Etess Arena | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Unknown[172] |
| 3. | UFC 31 | Couture vs. Rizzo | May 4, 2001 | Mark G. Etess Arena | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Unknown[173] |
| 4. | UFC 34 | Couture vs. Rizzo 2 | November 2, 2001 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 65,000[174] |
| 5. | UFC 36 | Couture vs. Barnett | March 22, 2002 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 55,000[175] |
| 6. | UFC 39 | Couture vs. Rodriguez | September 27, 2002 | Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | 45,000[176] |
| 7. | UFC 43 | Liddell vs. Couture | June 6, 2003 | Thomas & Mack Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 49,000[177] |
| 8. | UFC 44 | Ortiz vs. Couture | September 26, 2003 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 94,000[178] |
| 9. | UFC 46 | Couture vs. Belfort 2 | January 31, 2004 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 80,000[179] |
| 10. | UFC 49 | Belfort vs. Couture 3 | August 21, 2004 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 80,000[180] |
| 11. | UFC 52 | Couture vs. Liddell 2 | April 16, 2005 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 280,000[181] |
| 12. | UFC 57 | Liddell vs. Couture 3 | February 4, 2006 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 400,000[182] |
| 13. | UFC 68 | Sylvia vs. Couture | March 3, 2007 | Nationwide Arena | Columbus, Ohio, United States | 540,000[183] |
| 14. | UFC 74 | Couture vs. Gonzaga | August 25, 2007 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 485,000[184] |
| 15. | UFC 91 | Couture vs. Lesnar | November 15, 2008 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 1,010,000[185] |
| 16. | UFC 102 | Couture vs. Nogueira | August 29, 2009 | Moda Center | Portland, Oregon, United States | 435,000[186] |
| 17. | UFC 109 | Couture vs. Coleman | February 6, 2010 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 285,000[187] |
| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Cradle 2 the Grave | Fight Club Fighter #8 | |
| 2005 | No Rules | Mason | |
| 2005 | Today You Die | Vincent's Bodyguard | Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Invincible | "Toruci" Player #1 | |
| 2006 | The King of Queens | Priority Plus Driver | Uncredited Episode: "Fight Schlub" |
| 2007 | Big Stan | Carnahan | |
| 2007 | The Unit | Sgt. Strickland | 2 Episodes |
| 2008 | Redbelt | Dylan Flynn | |
| 2008 | The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior | Sargon | Direct-to-video |
| 2010 | The Expendables | Toll Road | |
| 2011 | Setup[188][189] | Petey | |
| 2012 | Hijacked | Paul Ross | Direct-to-video |
| 2012 | The Expendables 2[190][191] | Toll Road | |
| 2013 | Geezers![188][192] | Randy | |
| 2013 | Ambushed | Jack Reiley | Direct-to-video |
| 2014 | The Expendables 3 | Toll Road | |
| 2014 | Stretch | Jovi | Direct-to-video |
| 2015 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Himself | |
| 2015–2017 | Hawaii Five-0 | Jason Duclair | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Hell's Kitchen | Himself | Reality show; Guest diner Episode: "5 Chefs Compete" |
| 2016 | Range 15 | Himself | Indie film |
| 2016 | Nine Legends | Himself | Documentary |
| 2017 | Pawn Stars | Himself | Reality show Episode: "Pawnie and Clyde" |
| 2018 | Impractical Jokers | Himself | Hidden camera prank show Episode: "Pantsing with the Stars" |
| 2018 | The Row | Detective Cole | |
| 2019 | D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach | Major Cleveland Lytle | Direct-to-Video |
| 2019 | The Hard Way | Toro / Briggs | Netflix Movie |
| 2020 | Final Kill | Deacon Long | Direct-to-Video |
| 2022 | Blowback | Jack | |
| 2022 | Demon Hunters (aka Demon Pit) | G Man (Gerald) | |
| 2023 | NCIS: Los Angeles | ATF agent Bill Newsome | Season 14 Episode:New Beginnings |
| 2023 | Expend4bles | Toll Road | |
| 2023 | Outlaw Johnny Black | Bill Basset | |
| 2023 | The Bell Keeper | Hank | |
| 2024 | Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace | Marcus |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 | Commander Warren Fuller | Real Time Strategy |
| 2010 | EA Sports MMA | Himself | Playable in both Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions |
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| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 3rdUFC Heavyweight Champion December 21, 1997 – October 1, 1998 | Vacant Couture stripped of title Title next held by Bas Rutten |
| Preceded by | 6thUFC Heavyweight Champion November 17, 2000 – March 22, 2002 | Succeeded by |
| New championship | 1st InterimUFC Light Heavyweight Champion June 6, 2003 – September 26, 2003 | Vacant Title next held by Jon Jones |
| Preceded by | 3rdUFC Light Heavyweight Champion September 26, 2003 – January 31, 2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | 5thUFC Light Heavyweight Champion August 21, 2004 – April 16, 2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | 13thUFC Heavyweight Champion March 3, 2007 – November 15, 2008 | Succeeded by |
| Pioneer Wing | |
|---|---|
| Modern-Era Wing | |
| Contributors | |
| Fights | |
| Community Award | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
