UFC hall of famer, and former multi-division champion, Randy Couture (19-11) has signed a multi-year partnership with Spike TV.
The television network announced a press conference for February 5 where Spike and Couture will lay out the details of the former UFC champs involvement with the cable channel.
Couture is expected to appear in multiple projects on Spike including working as a coach for Bellator’s upcoming MMA reality series which is scheduled to begin shooting next month. Details on a broadcast date are expected to be a part of next weeks press conference.
News of the 49-year old’s deal was first announced by Loretta Hunt at SI.com. this afternoon.
Sources told SI.com that the deal with Spike and Viacom was executed in late December, much to the disapproval of Couture’s former employer, UFC president Dana White. Since his retirement in April 2011 at age 47, Couture has turned his attention to Hollywood with supporting roles in The Expendables and its summer 2012 sequel, and had most recently served as an on-camera analyst for the UFC’s live events on Fox. However, Couture was absent from the UFC on Fox 6 broadcast on Jan. 26, replaced by one-time teammate Chael Sonnen.
Couture retired following a loss to Lyoto Machida in April 2011, suffering a second round knockokut at UFC 129. The former five time UFC champion earned titles in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.