Former UFC champion Randy Couture was rushed by air ambulance to a burn center in Kansas City on Tuesday after sustaining serious injuries in a racetrack crash. According to TMZ Sports, the retired mixed martial artist suffered first and second-degree burns, trauma-related injuries, and inhaled smoke during the incident.
The crash occurred while Couture was preparing for his first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) racing event. His car was severely damaged in the accident, though the exact cause of the wreck remains unknown. As of Wednesday, Couture is still receiving treatment at the burn center. Doctors say his injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
Just weeks before the crash, Couture had expressed his excitement about entering the racing world. Speaking on the “Bubba The Love Sponge Show,” he described racing as a thrilling new challenge and a way to channel the competitive edge that defined his fighting career. He spoke about blending the discipline and mental focus from his MMA background into his approach on the racetrack.
Couture, who retired from mixed martial arts in 2011, ended his career with a 19-11 record and held championship titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions of the UFC.
