Randy Couture has bravely opened up about the circumstances that resulted in him walking onto the wrestling mat for the very first time.
At the peak of his powers, ‘The Natural’ was a truly fantastic operator, with the sublime competitor dominating his opponents with his unrivaled grappling prowess.
However, long before the athlete ever set foot in the cage, he was battling adversity from within.
While Couture became a tremendous wrestler, he didn’t even start competing for himself.
WOW: Randy Couture reveals what really happened in his wrestling session with Francis Ngannou
Randy Couture started wrestling to get his dad’s attention
Growing up, Randy Couture didn’t have much of a male role model, with the future legend having very little communication with his dad.
While the American didn’t know much about his father, Couture had heard stories that suggested he knew how to handle himself.
With that in mind, in a bid to impress his dad, he started grappling, with zero idea of the crazy adventure it would take him on.
During an interview with Burn Factory Show, the 61-year-old explained: “I grew up in a single-parent household; my mom did it all, my dad was never really around. That was certainly a challenge and what led to me walking on a wrestling mat in the first place. I was trying to get his attention.
“I’d heard my whole life what a tough guy he was and what a good wrestler he was. Somewhere in my young mind, I believed if I turned out for the wrestling team, maybe he’d come around. He never did.
“He never saw me wrestle a match, but I found the place I flourished, where my friends were, and those coaches filled that void and were very important guys in my life as a teenager and an adult.
Ultimately, it’s fair to say things worked out for the UFC champion. As well as becoming a bona fide legend, Couture once even beat an MMA star 100 pounds heavier than him.
Randy Couture claims the UFC was disappointed that he beat one of their biggest stars
Couture is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters to have ever worn the four-ounce gloves.
In his astonishing career, he compiled an epic resume, en route to winning world championship belts in two weight categories.
However, the warrior didn’t always feel like he was the promotion’s favorite mixed martial artist.
Now, Couture claims the UFC were furious that he beat a massive name.
