The former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight and light heavyweight titleholder retired at the age of 47 following a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011. He closed out his remarkable career with a 19-11 record that included victories over a number of contemporaries, including Pedro Rizzo (twice), Vitor Belfort (twice), Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. Couture was inducted into the pioneer wing of the UFC Hall of Fame on June 24, 2006.
As Couture’s exploits in the cage drift further and further into history’s rearview mirror, here are five things you might not know about him:
1. He was forged in a crucible familiar to many.
Couture was a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, where he reached the national final in 1991 and 1992. He compiled a 113-42 record at the tradition-rich school and still ranks fourth on its all-time list in total bouts with 158. Couture was a three-time Olympic alternate in Greco-Roman wrestling and struck gold in the discipline at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba.
2. He was a late bloomer.
Owing to his six years of service in the United States Army (1982-88) and his decorated amateur wrestling career, Couture did not make his professional mixed martial arts debut until the age of 33. He recorded eight UFC victories and enjoyed three undisputed title reigns—one as a heavyweight and two as a light heavyweight—after the age of 40.
3. Pioneering was an activity at which he excelled.
Though he has since been joined by B.J. Penn, Conor McGregor, Georges St. Pierre, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo, Couture was the first fighter in UFC history to win undisputed titles in multiple weight classes. He laid claim to the heavyweight title for the first time on Dec. 21, 1997 and captured the light heavyweight crown for the first time on Sept. 26, 2003.
4. He was a box-office draw.
Couture was in the main event of 18 of the 23 UFC shows at which he competed, tying him with former middleweight champion Anderson Silva for the most headlining assignments in the promotion’s history. He participated in a co-feature on two other occasions.
5. His strength of schedule was unrivaled.
More than half (16) of Couture’s 30 career bouts came against reigning or former titleholders from the UFC or Pride Fighting Championships. He defeated seven of them: Belfort (twice), Liddell, Ortiz, Maurice Smith, Kevin Randleman, Tim Sylvia and Mark Coleman.