Couture: I think the UFC will try to tempt me to come back
“That’s the fight game,” Couture said of the kick that ended his career (so far). “I got caught with a…
“That’s the fight game,” Couture said of the kick that ended his career (so far). “I got caught with a good one. He set it up nice. It’s not one we had seen him do in any of his other fights. He caught me by surprise. He’s a great athlete and a great fighter.”
Then he returned home to Las Vegas, Couture walked into his Xtreme Couture gym, changed into his workout clothes and commenced training with a group of pro fighters.
“Everyone was scratching their heads looking at me going, ‘You know, this is how rumors get started,'” Couture says with a laugh.
“I don’t know what a ‘retired fighter’ feels like. I feel great. I’m happy where I’m at in life. I think it was the right time to stop competing. I think I’ll always train and I’ll always be working with the guys and working in the sport in some capacity, but it was the right time for me to bow out of the octagon. I know there will be some bridges to cross. I think they will try to tempt me to come back in, but I’m comfortable with my decision. It’s the right time for me.”
“It’s always hard when you go to shows and you’re around fights and fighters to not get antsy, to not feel like you want to train,” he said. “Those are the real tests and challenges.”
“I’ve just had an amazing run for 14 years. It’s been a blast. I’m excited to have been part of all of it. I fought a bunch of tough guys. In some ways I’m excited and relieved that chapter’s closed, and this new one is opening.”