Sherdog’s Top 10: Ground-and-Pounders

10. Randy Couture
Though his career record is not anything about which to write home, there is no disputing Couture’s place in history. He has defied the odds countless times and conquered some of the greatest fighters to ever lace up the fingerless gloves. Part of what made “The Natural” great was his crushing ground-and-pound.

A tough guy with a decorated amateur wrestling background, Couture quickly established himself as one of the best by grinding out men who were supposed to be faster, stronger, younger and bigger than him. He laughed in the critics’ faces and dragged opponents behind the woodshed on numerous occasions. Couture’s first noteworthy victim was Vitor Belfort at UFC 15 on Oct. 17, 1997. Kevin Randleman, Pedro Rizzo, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz followed. He excelled in two weight classes, winning Ultimate Fighting Championship titles as a light heavyweight and heavyweight before retiring in 2011.

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