Three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture was hospitalized earlier this week with burns after being involved in a car accident at a Kansas City racetrack, per TMZ.
Couture, a 62-year-old ex-MMA fighter who rose to prominence in the early years of the UFC, was reportedly airlifted to a burn center Tuesday after suffering first and second-degree burns, trauma injuries, and smoke inhalation.
Couture is expected to make a recovery from the injuries.
Couture had been preparing to compete in a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing event later this year, his first major venture into any form of motorsport.
It had been announced in April that Couture would earn his NHRA Pro Mod license to compete with Scag Racing. First introduced to drag racing a decade ago, Couture said the move would “Tickle that competitive bone that I’ve developed through wrestling and mixed martial arts.”
While Couture initially hoped to make his NHRA debut in June, he said last month that he was “just not comfortable yet,” thus delaying his first official appearance.
Couture transitioned to MMA in 1997 after a successful career in Greco-Roman Wrestling. Through 24 appearances in the UFC, he would put together three separate title reigns at heavyweight, more than any other fighter in the division’s history, and also hold the light heavyweight title twice.
Couture officially retired from MMA in 2011 after a loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129.
