Following an accident during a practice session at a speedway, renowned UFC and MMA icon Randy Couture was transported by air to a specialized burn unit located in Kansas City. As reported by TMZ Sports on Wednesday, Couture suffered from first- and second-degree burns, physical trauma, and respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation.
The 62-year-old was preparing to make his initial appearance in a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event when the incident took place on Tuesday. The specifics leading to the crash are still unknown, with TMZ indicating that Couture’s car was completely destroyed.
Couture is still receiving treatment at the burn center, and his prognosis for recovery is positive. “The Natural” shared his enthusiasm for this new venture in June, anticipating his participation in races later in the year. Couture started the process of obtaining his competition license after Scag Racing announced its entry into the NHRA’s Pro Mod category.
“It presents an entirely new challenge,” Couture mentioned in a recent conversation with Bubba The Love Sponge. “From the spectator seats, it may seem straightforward. People might think, ‘They just drive quickly.’ But there’s considerably more complexity involved.”
“This represents a fresh avenue for satisfying my lifelong competitive nature; a different arena where I can compete and achieve success in racing,” Couture elaborated. “I intend to apply the skills and mindset I cultivated as a wrestler and martial artist to this field and observe the outcomes. I am uncertain of the future, yet I am eager for the possibilities.”
Couture’s MMA record stands at 19 wins and 11 losses, with appearances in organizations such as the UFC, Rings, and Vale Tudo. Throughout his distinguished career, Couture claimed championships in both the UFC’s light heavyweight and heavyweight categories, engaging in notable contests against figures like Chuck Liddell, Brock Lesnar, and Tito Ortiz.
He concluded his MMA career in 2011 and received induction into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing in 2006.
