I’m a UFC legend who fought Brock Lesnar and boxing world champion – but no one hit me harder than ‘The Iceman’

Randy Couture has named his toughest opponent.

The MMA legend won UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight titles during an incredible career that ended in 2011.

Randy Couture earned victories over former world champions Mark Coleman, Tim Sylvia, Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz to cement his place in the UFC Hall of Fame.

'The Natural' even defeated three-weight boxing champion James Toney during his 30-fight streak, which also included bouts with Brock Lesnar and Lyoto Machida.

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Randy Couture says no one hit him harder than Chuck Liddell

Couture has seven knockout losses on his 19-11 record, but he insists only one man has been able to put him to sleep in the Octagon and that's Chuck Liddell.

The 61-year-old fought Liddell three times and first faced 'The Iceman' in 2003. Couture scored a third-round TKO against Liddell at UFC 43 but fell short in their rematch and trilogy fight, both ending in quick KO. wins for his rival.

Nearly twenty years later, Couture remembers the moment Liddell hit him so hard that a chunk of time is still missing from his memory.

“I've only been knocked out once, that was Chuck Liddell, the second time we played each other,” Couture said when asked to name his toughest opponent during an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow's James Sweetnam.

“I've flashed a few times. Brock flashed me. I've been hit on my keister a few times, where as soon as you hit the deck you wake up and you know where you stand.

“That second fight with Chuck is the only time I've been knocked unconscious, and you lose that little bit of time.

“It's a strange experience. One minute you're there, the next minute you're thinking, 'What happened? Where has everyone gone?' It was certainly unique.”

Randy Couture talks about MMA Mount Rushmore

The Mount Rushmore trend has seen a number of high-profile MMA figures pick their top four fighters, with some basing their choice on their overall impact on the sport, while others focused purely on skill.

Conor McGregor and Jon Jones are two men who are on many people's lists. However, Couture believes their antics outside the Octagon make them unworthy of being discussed as two of MMA's greatest fighters.

He added: “You should probably consider Conor McGregor; I'm not a fan of the extracurricular things that happen to Conor.

“I just met Conor in Riyadh last year at the boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. It was the first time I ever looked him in the eye and shook his hand – at least he was nice to me.

“Everyone wants to say Jon Jones, but there are extracurricular things going on that are common knowledge that I think limit the GOAT conversation.

“It is not only important what you do in the cage, but also how you conduct yourself, and how you represent your sport, your family and yourself outside the cage. Those things come into my mind when you start talking about an MMA Mount Rushmore type situation.

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