The Natural: A Retrospective

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J.R. Riddell: What I find most memorable about Randy’s career is the willingness and desire he displayed in taking fights that presented him with obstacles and challenges. Many fighters claim that they want to challenge themselves, but who can argue that Randy didn’t epitomize that notion throughout his fight career? He chose to close out his career with a fight that presented him with serious challenges. He knew that Lyoto Machida was lethal, and his last battle was fueled by the desire to solve the Machida puzzle. As if his record of opponents wasn’t enough, the man has a work ethic that puts fighters half his age to shame. Finally, I would be remiss in not calling out my respect for this warrior as a fellow veteran. Before becoming known as “Captain America,” Randy spent six years as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Bravo on a successful career as a warrior, and I’ll look forward to watching you perform your roles as an actor and fighters advocate.

Tristen Critchfield: To me, Randy Couture was mixed martial arts’ most marketable hero -- sort of a John Wayne meets Rocky Balboa come to life in the Octagon. While he didn’t always win, “The Natural” was never afraid to challenge the odds. Whether it was facing the giants (Tim Sylvia and Brock Lesnar), attempting to solve a Rubik’s Cube (Lyoto Machida) or simply sending a message (James Toney and Tito Ortiz), Couture always did what he did with dignity and professionalism. His 19-11 record isn’t the stuff of legend, but his impact on the sport transcends wins and losses. In retirement, I expect more of the same, with Couture serving as MMA’s ultimate ambassador, all while eventually making 50 look like the new 30.

Wojek Rysiewski: Randy Couture had many great moments in his 14-year career, from his upset victory over a young Vitor Belfort and five-round war with Pedro Rizzo to his memorable trilogy with Chuck Liddell. However, what impressed me the most was his 2007 heavyweight run. At 43-years old, a natural light heavyweight was able to completely dominate two Top 5 heavyweights and claim the number two spot in the world. By beating Sylvia and Gonzaga, Couture defied the casual perception that size is the essential aspect of the sport and proved that technique, speed and intelligence are equally, if not more, important.

Bobbie Clark: The most impressive thing about Randy Couture's career isn’t his longevity, masterful game plans or intense training regimen. It’s his mastery of the Jedi mind trick. Time and time again, he fooled the general public into making him the underdog. It started with Vitor Belfort at UFC 15 and ended with Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74. Along the way, he employed this ancient art to make it seem like he was a few steps behind in fights against Pedro Rizzo, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Tim Sylvia, when he was actually several steps ahead. Randy Couture is the Yoda of MMA. I only hope he has found a worthy Padawan to pass along this tremendous gift.

Joe Zigler: No one gave Couture a chance against Vitor Belfort or Tim Sylvia. Couture’s wrestling and limited experience were not going to be enough to match the natural talents and explosiveness of “The Phenom,” and he was too old and one dimensional to fight against the size and power of “The Maine-iac.” In both cases, Couture came out and did what he became known for. He proved everyone wrong. He was not supposed to get the better of Belfort on the feet boxing in the clinch, and he wasn’t supposed to drop Sylvia with his first punch. And he certainly wasn’t supposed to compete professionally until he was 47 years old. But he did all three. Couture kept us guessing, he kept us excited and he will forever stand as a legend of the sport.

Traci Ratzloff: I will never forget my first interview with Randy Couture, almost a decade ago. I was so green and very nervous. Randy took time out of his very busy schedule, on Valentine’s Day no less, to speak with me over the phone for nearly an hour. His gentle way helped a very young journalist relax and get her job done. I will forever appreciate his sincerity, as well as the level of athleticism and good sportsmanship he brought to the fight game.

Joe Ortiz: While Couture proved me wrong on a number of occasions, the only one that truly stood out as remarkable to me was his heavyweight title bout with Tim Sylvia. I remember having a couple of friends over for the event, both of them casual fans who knew who Randy was and what he had accomplished. They ultimately deferred to me when I told them he was too old and too small to stand much chance against the gigantic UFC champion. Within seconds of the opening bell, I was made to look utterly foolish, as Couture sent Sylvia crashing to the mat. My friends and I were too busy screaming our heads off to care either way. We remained awed by the performance through the entirety of the 25-minute bout and for the rest of the night, as well, as we went to the local watering hole to share drinks and reflect on what an old badass Randy Couture was.

Brian Knapp: Couture never took the easy way out. That tells you all you need to know about the man. Never was that more evident than in his final appearance, when he took on Lyoto Machida -- a brilliant former champion in his prime. At 47, Couture could have bid farewell against a far less dangerous opponent. Instead, he went out on his shield. The MMA world can ask nothing more of its heroes. The fighters who comprise the next generation would be wise to follow in Couture’s footsteps.

Daniel Archuleta: I have clear memories of Randy Couture that pop into my head when I hear the icon’s name. One came at UFC 44 against Tito Ortiz, who at the time was my favorite fighter. Late in the fifth and final round, Ortiz scrambled from underneath Randy and maneuvered for a leg lock. “Captain America” braced himself against the cage for leverage and showed the crowd and referee “Big” John McCarthy that he was in no danger by literally spanking Ortiz on the behind, much like he had done during the entire fight. The theme of the pre-fight hoopla was about the young gun Oritz, out to retire the old lion Couture. How fitting the fight ended with Couture dominating the fight and leaving Ortiz with a memory of a father putting his arrogant son in his place.

Mick Bower: At UFC 70, the boys and girls came out of the cupboard to pack the M.E.N. Arena for the UFC’s European return. A few celebs get flashed on the big screen and are greeted with a ripple of applause; then Randy’s face comes up. He is over on ambassadorial duties and suited up cageside. As one, the crowd stands and goes nuts. A wave of goodwill laps around the hall. This is by far the largest gathering of MMA fans in the UK. For years, we lived on a subsistence diet of domestic small hall offerings and traded VHS tapes. The giant tanned face of Randy beams back at his children like a benevolent god. The perfect moment is broken when a chant of “Randy! Randy!” breaks out. The sight of thousands of my countrymen yelling “randy” in unison (randy: British slang adjective meaning sexually excited or aroused) changes the mood from the sublime to the ridiculous.

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