Ryan Couture

Ryan Duane Couture (born August 27, 1982)^[2] is an American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2009, he has formerly competed for the UFC and Strikeforce. He is the son of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.

Couture grew up in Woodinville, Washington, and attended Woodinville High School. During his senior year, Couture placed third in the Washington State 4A wrestling championship. Couture attended Western Washington University 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.

Couture began fighting in 2009 and compiled a 5–1–1 record as an amateur.^[3]

He made his professional debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor on August 13, 2010. He debuted in the Strikeforce promotion's lightweight division, defeating Lucas Stark via triangle choke in the first round.^[4]

Couture was scheduled to fight Juan Zapata on November 19, 2010, however he was forced to withdraw because of a staph infection.^[5]

Couture fought at Strikeforce Challengers: Beerbohm vs. Healy against Lee Higgins and won the bout via rear-naked choke in the 3rd round.^[6] The victory over Higgins upped Couture's professional record to 2–0, with both fights coming under the Strikeforce banner.^[7]

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 at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey on March 3, 2012.^[8] He defeated Heun by TKO at 2:52 in the third round.

In his sixth Strikeforce appearance, Couture faced Joe Duarte 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 at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013.^[9] Despite being outstruck by Noons in each round,^[10] Couture was awarded a split decision victory.

Following a signing of his father Randy to Bellator as an on-screen, non-fighting personality, UFC president Dana White, 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.^[11] 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 on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9.^[12] Couture lost the bout via TKO in the second round.

Couture was expected to face Quinn Mulhern in a lightweight bout on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164.^[13] However, Mulhern pulled out of the bout in mid-July citing an injury and was replaced by Al Iaquinta.^[14] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. After back to back losses he was released from the UFC.^[15]

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.^[16] Then defeating Shakir McKillip with the same method early in the second round on May 17, 2014 at Battlegrounds MMA 4.

On July 27, 2014, Couture signed with Bellator MMA.^[17]

Couture made his promotional debut against Tom Bagnasco at Bellator 124 on September 12, 2014.^[18] He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Couture faced Dakota Cochrane at Bellator 135 on March 27, 2015.^[19] He won the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.^[20]

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.^[21]

Couture was expected to face Derek Anderson at Bellator 148 on January 29, 2016. However, Anderson was injured and replaced by Patricky Pitbull.^[22] Couture lost the bout via knockout in the first round.

Couture faced Goiti Yamauchi 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.^[23] He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[24]

Couture faced Saad Awad at Bellator 201 on June 29, 2018. He lost the bout via technical knockout in the first round.^[25]

Couture faced Haim Gozali in a rematch at Bellator 209 on November 16, 2018. He won the bout via unanimous decision.^[26]

Couture currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and trains at the Xtreme Couture gym.^[1] He got married in Las Vegas, NV in October 2014. He and his wife had a son in May 2021. ^[3]

In 2020, he announced that he had been appointed to be his father's successor as the CEO of Xtreme Couture.^[1] In the same interview Ryan mentioned that he is most likely retired from professional mixed martial arts competition.^[1]

^[27]

• List of Strikeforce alumni

• Professional MMA record for Ryan Couture from Sherdog
• Ryan Couture at UFC