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Randy Couture explains how being in the army put him on the path to becoming a UFC Hall of Famer

Admin 2 days ago

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Randy Couture recalls how his time in the military played a pivotal role in him becoming one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time.

During this period, the American reached the rank of sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division.

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Randy Couture used the military to return to the wrestling world

Randy Couture is undeniably one of the greatest wrestlers the sport of mixed martial arts has ever seen.

However, if he had not joined the military, we might never have heard the name of the gifted athlete.

During this chapter of his story, Couture was representing his country abroad when an opportunity arose to return to the sport he held so close to his heart.

With an opportunity to fulfill his destiny within his grasp, the warrior reached out and grabbed it, setting the wheels in motion for an incredible run to the pinnacle of the UFC.

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In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, he explained, “I joined the Army in 1982, got married very young, had a kid along the way, and had to find a way to support a family. The army allowed me to do that.

“I thought wrestling was done for me at the time, with all the responsibilities. Little did I know that my first duty station would be in Hanau, West Germany, and I found myself back on a wrestling mat.

“There were five million soldiers stationed in Central Europe at the time, at the height of the Cold War. Wrestling and boxing were two major sports for the military. I eventually made the all-army wrestling team.

“I won a couple of U.S. Army European Championships and a couple of National Army Championships, and eventually qualified as a soldier for the 1988 Olympic Trials wrestling Grecko.

“That caught the attention of a lot of college coaches. I never really got any love from high school. I was a one-time state champion from Washington; I grew up in Seattle. So I didn't really get any scholarship offers.

“Now I'm here, as a soldier I'm an alternate for the 1988 Olympic team and I'm wearing the uniform. All these college coaches started calling; they found out I had four years of eligibility.

“What was I going to do? Stay in the military, or should I leave and get my education? It was a big decision for me. I had two children and had been married for a while.

“Leaving the security of wearing the uniform and regular paychecks behind while chasing the dream of making the Olympic team was a big challenge.

'Should I go to university? How would that go as a 25-year-old at university? It was a scary time, but I charged forward. It was a great decision; I'm glad my coach encouraged me to leave the service and pursue training. It worked.”