October 12, 2007
RANDY COUTURE RETIRES

Couture to UFC: I Quit
By Steven Marrocco

Over the 10 years that Randy "The Natural" Couture fought in mixed martial arts, he built a career in the Octagon that turned him into an MMA legend. Now, according to a report by The Fight Network released Thursday, Couture is saying goodbye to the UFC.

According to a letter of resignation Couture sent to the UFC the same day, Couture stated he would not defend his belt, serve the remainder of his two-fight contract, or commentate any future bouts in the Octagon. Foremost in his mind were reports that #1 ranked Fedor Emelianenko had signed with the revived M-1 Mix Fight promotion, effectively ending his chance to cement his legacy in the UFC.

Couture was in South Africa filming a role in the upcoming movie "The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian" and sent the notice by fax.

UFC president Dana White released a statement on the UFC's website, saying he was unsurprised about Couture's departure.

"I met with Randy several weeks ago and he said that the only thing he had left to prove in his career and the only challenge left out there for him was Fedor (Emelianenko) because everybody thinks that Fedor is the best," White told reporter Thomas Gerbasi. "He hooked up with some Hollywood agent that I bitch slapped about a month ago, and these Hollywood agents are parasites, so unfortunately this guy is probably in Randy’s ear right now.

"Apparently Randy’s upset about something, and the timing of this thing is a typical Hollywood agent move while Randy’s out of town," White continued. "But he told me he wanted to retire anyway if he didn’t fight Fedor, and he can’t fight Fedor in another organization because he’s under contract to me. I’m very confident though that once Randy gets back in town, if we see each other we’ll work this thing out."

Couture's departure creates a massive void in Zuffa's short list of marquee talent. Not only was Couture the heavyweight champion, he was one of the most prominent ambassadors of the sport.

The issue at hand appears to be in Couture's current contract with the UFC. In the Fight Network report, Couture's agent, Matt Walker, claimed his contract was on a fight-by-fight basis. If Couture decides to try to sign with another promotion, like M-1, he could find himself in a legal battle with his former employer.

On the other hand, if Couture decides that his days of competition are over, it would mark the end of a movie-worthy career.