Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images
Randy “The Natural” Couture is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a heart attack earlier this week during a workout at Unbreakable Performance in West Hollywood, California.
The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) standout threw the mixed martial arts (MMA) world for a loop back on Oct. 23 when he checked into the Cedars Sinai Hospital with an apparent heart attack and moved into intensive care. Fight fans really didn’t know the extent of the injury considering the 56-year-old retired fighter reportedly walked himself to the emergency room.
Luckily, Couture is making a speedy recovery and remains in good spirits.
“Contrary to recent rumors, I have not kicked the bucket yet,” Couture wrote in a statement released by Xtreme Couture Management (h/t MMA Fighting). “I am alive and well. Special thanks to the amazing staff at Cedars Sinai Hospital. From the ER to cardiac ICU thanks for taking care of me.
“I’m one of those people that has crazy thick blood and nominally high bad cholesterol. Unfortunately, those 2 factors combined to create a nice clot including my diagonal artery. The (catheterization laboratory) at Cedars got right on it, cleared it out and placed a stint in its place.
“Thanks to all of you out there expressing your concern. Your love and support mean the world to me and my family. Live your lives to the fullest. You never know when you’ll draw that last breath in!”
In even better news, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani is reporting that Couture has already been discharged from the hospital, just two days following his admittance.
Randy Couture has been discharged from the hospital, less than two days after suffering a heart attack.
He walked home, his manager Sam Spira said.
“I walked into the hospital from home, I am walking home from the hospital,” Couture said.
Legend.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 25, 2019
Randy Couture has been discharged from the hospital, less than two days after suffering a heart attack,” wrote Helwani via Twitter. “He walked home, his manager Sam Spira said.
‘I walked into the hospital from home, I am walking home from the hospital,’ Couture said.”
Couture, who retired from MMA back in 2011 following a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida, remains one of the most recognizable names in the sport. From his Hollywood crossover to a commentating stint with Professional Fighters League (PFL), “Natural” has remained an intricate part of the combat sports scene.
It’s nice to know that the former UFC champion has come out victorious once again.