Ryan Duane Couture (born August 27, 1982) is an American professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who most recently competed in the

Welterweight Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like Muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify the ...

division of

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...

. A professional competitor since 2009, he has formerly competed for the

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

and

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *'' Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *'' Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *''Marvel Strike Force'', ...

. He is the son of UFC Hall of Famer

Randy Couture Randall Duane Couture (; born June 22, 1963) is an American actor, former United States Army, U.S. Army sergeant, former mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and former Collegiate wrestling, collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestling, Greco-Roman ...

Biography

Couture grew up in

Woodinville, Washington Woodinville is a city in King County, Washington, King County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. It is a part of the Seattle metropolitan area. There is also a much larger population with Woodinville mailing addresses in adjacent uni ...

and attended

Woodinville High School Woodinville High School is a public secondary school located in Woodinville, Washington, a suburb northeast of Seattle. A senior high school serving grades 9 through 12, it educates the eastern portion of the Northshore School District and is a m ...

. During his senior year, Couture placed third in the Washington State 4A

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

championship. Couture attended

Western Washington University Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington. The northernmost university in the contiguous United States, WWU was founded in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a pri ...

from 2000 until 2004 and graduated with a degree in mathematics. Before he began pursuing an MMA career, Couture worked at a bank, and trained with Nicolas Lipari.

Mixed martial arts career

Couture began fighting in 2009 and compiled a 5–1–1 record as an amateur.

Strikeforce

He made his professional debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor on August 13, 2010. He debuted in the

promotion's lightweight division, defeating Lucas Stark via triangle choke in the first round. Couture was scheduled to fight Juan Zapata on November 19, 2010, however he was forced to withdraw because of a

staph infection A staphylococcal infection or staph infection is an infection caused by members of the ''Staphylococcus'' genus of bacteria. These bacteria commonly inhabit the skin and nose where they are innocuous, but may enter the body through cuts or abrasio ...

. Couture fought at Strikeforce Challengers: Beerbohm vs. Healy against Lee Higgins and won the bout via rear-naked choke in the 3rd round. The victory over Higgins upped Couture's professional record to 2–0, with both fights coming under the Strikeforce banner. In his next fight, Couture faced Matt Ricehouse at Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry. He lost via unanimous decision. Couture rebounded from the first loss of his career when he defeated Maka Watson via majority decision at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. Couture next faced

Conor Heun Conor Heun (born February 11, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2006 until 2012, he competed for Strikeforce, EliteXC, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League. Mixed martial arts car ...

at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey on March 3, 2012. He defeated Heun by TKO at 2:52 in the third round. In his sixth Strikeforce appearance, Couture faced

Joe Duarte Joe Duarte (born August 4, 1983) is a retired professional mixed martial arts champion and investor from Guam, and is of native Chamorro descent. He currently trains at The Arena Mixed Martial Arts gym in San Diego, California. Early life Dua ...

on July 14, 2012 at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. He won the fight via split decision. Having spent his entire professional career in the Strikeforce promotion, Couture was featured on their final show as he faced former EliteXC World Lightweight Champion.

K. J. Noons Karl James "K.J." Noons (born December 7, 1982) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist, as well as a former professional boxer and kickboxer. Noons competed for UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM and EliteXC. He is the former EliteXC ...

at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013. Despite being outstruck by Noons in each round, Couture was awarded a split decision victory.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Following a signing of his father Randy to Bellator as an on-screen, non-fighting personality, UFC president

Dana White Dana Frederick White Jr. (born July 28, 1969) is an American businessman who serves as president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a global mixed martial arts organization. In August 2019, White's net worth was estimated at $500 milli ...

, was questioned about what type of relationship Couture now had with the UFC, as White was quite upset at a perceived betrayal by Randy. White made it clear that Couture is welcome in the UFC, and that he will not be punished for his father's relationship with him. However, White did state that Randy will not be allowed to corner his son at UFC events. In his UFC debut, Couture faced

Ross Pearson Ross Pearson (born 26 September 1984) is a retired English mixed martial artist who last competed in 2019. A 26-fight veteran of the UFC, he was a three-time "Fight of the Night" winner and was the lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 9. ...

on April 6, 2013 at

UFC on Fuel TV 9 ''UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi'' (also known as ''UFC on Fuel TV 9'' or ''UFC Sweden 2'') was a mixed martial arts event held on April 6, 2013, at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The event was broadcast live on Fuel TV. Ba ...

. Couture lost the bout via TKO in the second round. Couture was expected to face

Quinn Mulhern Quinn Patrick Mulhern (born September 20, 1984) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 2007 until 2014, ...

in a lightweight bout on August 31, 2013 at

UFC 164 ''UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis 2'' was a mixed martial arts event held on August 31, 2013, at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Background The main event was expected to be a UFC Lightweight Championship bout between the c ...

. However, Mulhern pulled out of the bout in mid-July citing an injury and was replaced by

Al Iaquinta Al Iaquinta (born April 30, 1987) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, having once challenged for the Lightweight championship belt. A professional ...

. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. After back to back losses he was released from the UFC.

Independent promotions

Couture returned to the cage on the smaller circuit and he has since rattled off 2 straight victories, both being finishes defeating Kyle Sjafiroeddin by rear naked choke in the first round on January 18, 2014 at Battlegrounds MMA 3. Then defeating Shakir McKillip with the same method early in the second round on May 17, 2014 at Battlegrounds MMA 4.

Bellator MMA

On July 27, 2014, Couture signed with

. Couture made his promotional debut against Tom Bagnasco at

Bellator 124 2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV. The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweigh ...

on September 12, 2014. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Couture faced

Dakota Cochrane Dakota Galen Cochrane (born May 1, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who fights in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. He has competed for Bellator MMA, Resurrection Fighting Alliance, Legacy Fighting Championship, Titan Fightin ...

Bellator 135 2015 in Bellator MMA was the seventh year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Bellator held 16 events in 2015. Background In June 2014, Founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney parted with the company. ...

on March 27, 2015. He won the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Couture was scheduled to face Nick Gonzalez on September 25, 2015 at Bellator 143. However, Gonzalez weighed in at 172.75 pounds, over sixteen pounds past the lightweight limit, and the fight was cancelled. Couture was expected to face Derek Anderson at

Bellator 148 2016 in Bellator MMA was the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promoter based in the United States. Bellator held 23 events in 2016. Background 2016 is notable for the launch of sibling promotion Bellator Kickboxi ...

on January 29, 2016. However, Anderson was injured and replaced by

Patricky Pitbull Patricky Freire (born January 21, 1986), known professionally by his ring name Patricky Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Lightweight division, where he is a former Bellator Lightweight World Champio ...

. Couture lost the bout via knockout in the first round. Couture faced

Goiti Yamauchi is a Japanese-born Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division for Bellator MMA. As of December 13, 2022, he is #5 in the Bellator Welterweight Rankings. Background Yamauchi was born in Anjō, Aichi to ...

at Bellator 162 on October 21, 2016. He lost the fight via submission just over a minute into the first round. Couture faced Haim Gozali in a welterweight bout at Bellator 180 on June 24, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Couture faced

Saad Awad Saad Awad ( ar, سعد عوض , born June 7, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist competing in Bellator's lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Awad has formerly competed for Strikeforce and King of the Cage. Backgr ...

at Bellator 201 on June 29, 2018. He lost the bout via technical knockout in the first round. Couture faced Haim Gozali in a rematch at Bellator 209 on November 16, 2018. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Couture currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and trains at the

Xtreme Couture Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts is an American mixed martial arts training organization headed by former UFC Champion and former co-founder of Team Quest, Randy Couture. Xtreme Couture was founded with the flagship gym in Las Vegas. Since the ...

gym. He got married in Las Vegas, NV in October 2014. He and his wife had a son in May 2021. In 2020, he announced that he had been appointed to be his father's successor as the CEO of Xtreme Couture. In the same interview Ryan mentioned that he is most likely retired from professional mixed martial arts competition.

Mixed martial arts record

, Win , align=center, 12–6 , Haim Gozali , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 209 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

, Israel , , - , Loss , align=center, 11–6 ,

, TKO (punches) , Bellator 201 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:29 ,

Temecula, California Temecula (; es, Temécula, ; Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 census and was incorporated on December 1, 1989. The city is a t ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–5 , Haim Gozali , Decision (unanimous) , Bellator 180 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

New York City, New York New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–5 ,

, Submission (armbar) , Bellator 162 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:01 ,

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mos ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–4 ,

, KO (punch) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:00 ,

Fresno, California Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, makin ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:23 ,

Thackerville, Oklahoma Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Thackerville is located at (33. ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Tom Bagnasco , Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:01 ,

Plymouth Township, Michigan Plymouth Township, officially the Charter Township of Plymouth, is a charter township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 27,524 at the 2010 census. The city of Plymouth is surrounded by the township but is administ ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–3 , Shakir McKillip , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Battlegrounds MMA 4 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:34 ,

Enid, Oklahoma Enid ( ) is the ninth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,308. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, a ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–3 , Kyle Sjafiroeddin , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Battlegrounds MMA 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:14 ,

Norman, Oklahoma Norman () is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, with a population of 128,097 as of 2021. It is the largest city and the county seat of Cleveland County, Oklahoma, Cleveland County, and the second-largest city in the Oklahoma C ...

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, Decision (unanimous) ,

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–2 ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:45 ,

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

, Sweden , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 ,

, Decision (split) , Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, and ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 ,

, Decision (split) , Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...

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, TKO (punches) , Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:52 ,

Columbus, Ohio Columbus () is the state capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., the second-most populous city in the Midwest, after Chicago, and t ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Maka Watson , Decision (majority) , Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 2–1 , Matt Ricehouse , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Kent, Washington Kent is a city in King County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metropolitan area and had a population of 136,588 as of the 2020 census, making it the fourth-largest municipality in greater Seattle and t ...

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Cedar Park, Texas Cedar Park is a city and a major suburb of Austin in the state of Texas, approximately to the north-west of the center of Austin. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city's population was 77,595. History Before the arrival of European settl ...

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Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Couture, Ryan Living people 1982 births American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from Washington (state) Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling People from Edmonds, Washington Western Washington University alumni Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters