Randy Couture content with retirement, looking forward to new role in MMA
Randy Couture said he was never more certain about retirement than when he exited Toronto’s Rogers Centre Arena as a…
Randy Couture said he was never more certain about retirement than when he exited Toronto’s Rogers Centre Arena as a professional fighter for the 30th and final time at UFC 129 on Saturday.
“There wasn’t a sentimentality about it. There was kind of a sense of relief,” said Couture, who took his final bow in the Octagon after former champion Lyoto Machida knocked him out with a rarely seen crane kick in the second round. “I felt like it was the right decision long before this and I felt more secure walking out that this is the right time and the right thing for me to be doing. There was no doubt in my head.”
While touched by the heartfelt reaction he got — which began when he heard his name being chanted as he waited to enter the arena — Couture said it wouldn’t sway his decision to walk away from competition.
“Definitely, it’s the last fight,” he said from Toronto on Sunday. “I know they’re going to try to throw me something and get me to come back, but it’s not going to happen.”