UFC legend Randy Couture has been rushed to hospital after sustaining severe injuries during a racing crash, according to a report.
The 62-year-old, who was slated to make his National Hot Rod Association racing debut this year, was reportedly involved in an accident during practice runs at a race track in Kansas City.
The MMA fighter turned actor suffered first- and second-degree burns, trauma injuries and smoke inhalation, according to TMZ.
Couture, who starred in The Expendables franchise alongside Sylvester Stallone, was airlifted to a local burns center to be treated and is expected to make a recovery.
While it is currently unclear what caused the accident, the car Couture was driving is said to have been left completely wrecked.
The UFC Hall of Famer had been training for the pro stock division of the upcoming campaign of drag racing.
UFC legend Randy Couture (L) has been rushed to hospital after sustaining severe injuries
The fighter crashed during practice runs for his National Hot Rod Association racing debut
‘This is a new way to tickle that competitive spirit that I’ve had most of my life; a new place for me to get competitive and make a mark in racing,’ he said earlier this year, via TMZ.
‘I’ll bring all the things I developed as a wrestler and martial artist into this realm and see what we can do. I have no idea how it’s going to go, but I’m excited about the opportunities.’
After an impressive high school wrestling career, Couture joined the army, where he was introduced to Greco-Roman wrestling, and ultimately served as a three-time Olympic team alternate.
He was also a three-time NCAA Division I All-American and two-time NCAA Division I runner up while wrestling for Oklahoma State University in 1991 and 1992.
Couture is best remembered for his years fighting on UFC cards, earning a 19-11 lifetime record, including seven wins by knockout and another four by submission.
He built his reputation largely with impressive wins over other MMA legends, such as Chuck LIddell, Tito Ortiz, and Vitor Belfort.
Couture became a coach after retirement, and even tried his hand at acting, appearing in the movie The Expendables and both of its sequels in addition to some television work.
He also did a season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.
Couture is best remembered for his years fighting on UFC cards before becoming an actor
Couture previously suffered a health scare in 2019 when he was hospitalized in intensive care after suffering a heart attack.
The retired fighter checked himself into a Los Angeles-area hospital in October of that year after he began to feel ill while working out at Unbreakable Performance Center, a gym owned in part by Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer and former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Sources close to the three-time UFC Champion told TMZ at the time that he was treated immediately at the hospital, undergoing emergency surgery due to a clogged artery caused by ‘high cholesterol and thick blood’ Couture went on to make a recovery.
Couture was previously married and has three children: sons Ryan and Caden, and daughter Aimee.
