Earlier this week, it was reported that Strikeforce Lightweight, Ryan Couture had to pull out of his November 19th Strikeforce Challengers 12 co-headlining fight with Juan Zapata due to a staph infection in his leg. Couture was hospitalized for the infection on Monday and underwent surgery on his leg, but was released today. […]
Earlier this week, it was reported that Strikeforce Lightweight, Ryan Couture had to pull out of his November 19th Strikeforce Challengers 12 co-headlining fight with Juan Zapata due to a staph infection in his leg. Couture was hospitalized for the infection on Monday and underwent surgery on his leg, but was released today. Couture is expected to make a full recovery from what was believed to be a form of infection called Cellulitis staph. Though deeply disappointed to miss his second scheduled pro-performance, Couture remains in good spirits and will be back in training very soon.
Strikeforce has announced that Ryan Couture has pulled out of his scheduled co-headlining November 19th bout against Juan Zapata due to a staph infection. Couture had planned on gaining his second professional win in Strikeforce Challengers 12 having won his debut match against Lucas Stark with a triangle choke in a 1:05 seconds. […]
Strikeforce has announced that Ryan Couture has pulled out of his scheduled co-headlining November 19th bout against Juan Zapata due to a staph infection. Couture had planned on gaining his second professional win in Strikeforce Challengers 12 having won his debut match against Lucas Stark with a triangle choke in a 1:05 seconds. The infection is said to be on Ryan Couture’s leg and he is hoping to heal very quickly and compete again soon.
In a press release today, the 155 pounder said, “I was really looking forward to fighting, so this is a big disappointment, but I’ll be back. As soon as I’m cleared, you can bet I’ll be back in the gym preparing for my next Strikeforce fight.”
Strikeforce Challengers 12 is set in Jackson, Mississippi with Victor “Shaolin” Ribeiro Vs. Justin Wilcox as the Main Event.
Filed under: Strikeforce, NewsRyan Couture has been forced to withdraw from his Strikeforce Challengers fight later this month against Juan Zapata due to a staph infection, the organization announced Monday evening.
Ryan Couture has been forced to withdraw from his Strikeforce Challengers fight later this month against Juan Zapata due to a staph infection, the organization announced Monday evening.
“I was really looking forward to fighting so this is a big disappointment, but I’ll be back” Couture stated in a press release. “As soon as I’m cleared, you can bet I’ll be back in the gym preparing for my next Strikeforce fight.”
The release also stated that the 28-year-old is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks. No word on when he will fight next.
By Joyce Lynda Valdes
A great leader, named Malcolm X said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
There are many battles MMA fighters face going into the cage, like that of a standup war or ground and pound, but every battle for these self-made warriors is by choice. There are others […]
ByJoyce Lynda Valdes
Dylan Woods at Tuff-N-Uff in March 2010
A great leader, named Malcolm X said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
There are many battles MMA fighters face going into the cage, like that of a standup war or ground and pound, but every battle for these self-made warriors is by choice. There are others of us in the world who are faced with fights that are unwanted and unasked for and it is the truest test of our character when we meet those challenges with will and defiance. For most of us in our lifetime, we will know someone or be someone inflicted with cancer. In my life, I have been blessed to know very few people who have fought and lost to this disease. Last night, the most influential person I have ever met, a young 13 year-old warrior named Dylan Woods who had brain cancer passed away.
I met Dylan through a non-profit organization called It Aint Chemo run by a cancer survivor, Kevin Hoyt. Hoyt, who is a friend of Randy Couture and helped Couture set up a paintball charity event for his GI Foundation, decided to open his organization to help and support MMA fighters, with the request that the fighters give their time to train young warriors who battle cancer daily. Hoyt thought that by kids like Dylan meeting MMA fighters, it would influence them to keep fighting their disease. The surprise ended up being that these kids like Dylan were the ones who inspired the MMA fighters. Dylan Woods went on to support fighters like Ryan Couture, Jimmy Jones, and Gil Guardado. He went to their Tuff-N-Uff amateur fights, cheering in the crowd, and when he could no longer travel, he watched Ryan Couture make his pro-debut in Strikeforce: Challengers on Showtime. Dylan’s story touched even UFC Heavyweight, Frank Mir who volunteered to be auctioned off in a charity MMA Bachelor/Bachelorette event held by It Aint Chemo earlier this month.
Dylan Woods did not go gently. He rose to the challenge. When it seemed he wouldn’t make it through another day, Dylan showed us he was not one to be beat and in August, at 50 lbs and wheel-chair bound, he made it to see Jones and Guardado victorious in their final amateur fights in Las Vegas. Both Jimmy Jones and Gil Guardado will be making their pro-debuts this November 13th in King of the Cage, which can be seen on PPV. Ryan Couture will be going for his second win in Strikeforce: Challengers on November 19th. Dylan fought his fight admirably and now helps science continue the fight as he gave his brain to cancer research. Most notably, he gave men who chose to fight, a solid ground to stand on and something to fight for and believe in; that ground is called It Aint Chemo and throughout these fighters careers, you will learn a lot more of the organization. It is time for Dylan to rest, but for Couture, Jones, and Guardado, it is time to stand and engage.
If you would like to help It Aint Chemo, please visit their website here or vote here for a Pepsi Refresh grant.
Filed under: Strikeforce, NewsVeteran Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro will look to pick up his first win in Strikeforce when he faces Justin Wilcox in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers XII on Nov. 19, the organization announced Monday evening.
Veteran Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro will look to pick up his first win in Strikeforce when he faces Justin Wilcox in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers XII on Nov. 19, the organization announced Monday evening.
The event will take place at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Miss., and will air live on the East Coast at 11 PM on Showtime, tape delayed on the West Coast.
Also announced for the card is the return of Ryan Couture, son of Randy Couture. Couture won his Strikeforce and MMA debut in August in just 75 seconds. His opponent has yet to be signed by the promotion.
MMA Fix is back with another installment of our new 10 QUESTIONS feature which gives MMA fighters the opportunity to answer questions in their own written and unedited words. Strikeforce Lightweight, Ryan Couture responds about his dad’s (Randy Couture) recent bout against James Toney, his Pro-MMA debut win, and sheds insight into the sex […]
MMA Fix is back with another installment of our new 10 QUESTIONS feature which gives MMA fighters the opportunity to answer questions in their own written and unedited words. Strikeforce Lightweight, Ryan Couture responds about his dad’s (Randy Couture) recent bout against James Toney, his Pro-MMA debut win, and sheds insight into the sex life of a single fighter just starting out.
1. Congratulations on your Pro-MMA debut win in Strikeforce Challengers against Lucas Stark. The win was rather quick (triangle choke at 1:15 into Round 1). Was Stark a viable opponent for your first time out in the pros? How was your first taste of pro-victory?
RC: Thanks, I’m very happy to have my first professional win under my belt. I think Lucas was exactly the kind of opponent that I needed in my debut. He’s a confident, aggressive guy who wasn’t afraid to get in there and fight. Winning quickly and decisively answered a lot of questions for me and for Strikeforce about how I would handle the added attention and pressure that comes with competing on such a big stage. Going forward, I expect the level of opposition to increase continually. I look forward to that challenge.
2. Your next fight is scheduled for November 19th in Memphis with Strikeforce. Why the decision to go with Strikeforce? Did you get offers from other promotions including UFC? How long is your Strikeforce contract?
RC: I got offers from a number of promoters of varying sizes across the country. In the end, Strikeforce, particularly the Challengers events, provided the best combination of exposure, level of competition and compensation. There is a lot of room to grow with the company and work my way up to their higher profile cards as I establish myself as a professional fighter.
3. Who helps you make your career decisions? Do you have a manager?
RC: I’m working with the newly formed Xtreme Couture Management, a company my father and his manager, Sam Spira, started. So far I’m very pleased with the course we’ve plotted for my career.
4. How much unsolicited advice did you get when making your decision to go pro?
RC: Hanging around a gym full of pro fighters and coaches, I heard opinions on when I should turn pro from just about everyone. In the end, I had an idea in my head of what I wanted to see from myself in order to feel ready to make that transition.
5. You’re in the beginning of your Pro-MMA career but have you picked up any superstitions or rituals you follow? For instance, do you hail mary or practice the no sex before a fight rule?
RC: I definitely don’t hail Mary and am in no position to be turning down sex but I do like to go record shopping on fight day just to keep my mind occupied and deal with the nerves.
6. You were in your father’s corner for his recent bout against James Toney. What was your primary role in his corner?
RC: I’ve been in his corner for his past three fights now and have come to the realization that I’m mostly just there for moral support. He has a fantastic team of coaches that get him ready and handle in-fight tactics for him. I think having me there just sort of helps keep him calm and keep the mood light.
7. Did Randy Couture’s win settle the debate of MMA Vs. Boxing? As a proud fighter and not as a proud son, what does Randy Couture’s win over a boxer who talked so much trash about the MMA sport mean?
RC: In my mind there never really was a debate in the first place. They are two different sports that are both successful independent of one another. I happen to be a fan of both but some prefer one or the other. The people who debate which sport is better just like to argue and will continue to do so regardless of how many boxer vs mixed martial artist fights promoters line up. As for dad’s win over Toney, I think it went exactly how it should have given the style match up and the rules under which it was contested. A boxing match between the two would be equally decisive in James’ favor and equally unsurprising in that regard.
8. Take us through a typical night of being out and getting recognized by fans. Do they want to challenge you or buy you shots? How often are you recognized now as opposed to just one year ago? What surprises you the most about fan recognition?
RC: On a typical night out I don’t get recognized by fans, thankfully. On those occasions where someone does know who I am, they are generally very friendly and congratulatory. The fact that anyone recognizes me at all is still very surprising to me and will take some getting used to.
9. Do you ever look at your old man and think, “my jiu jitsu’s looking better than his” and want to just take him on for the hell of it? No? Not even when you’re piss drunk?
RC: My Jiu-Jitsu is very different from his and can be prettier at times but there’s no question that he’s the more effective grappler. I’m definitely always game to take him on in a submission match or sparring session. Win or lose (but probably lose), it’s always going to be a good experience.
10. You are just starting out in your pro-career, but what question are you already sick of being asked and what question do you wish you would be asked, and while you’re asking yourself that question, go ahead and answer it, as well…
RC: I’m not sure that there’s a question that I’m sick of but the one that I can’t seem to come up with a good answer for is, “What is the best piece of advice your dad has given you about your fight career?” I hereby officially give up on that one so if everyone out there could quit asking, that would be great. As for a question that I’d like to be asked, I suppose, “What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” would be fun. My response, of course, would be, “What do you mean? An African or a European swallow?”. (If there’s anyone reading this who doesn’t get that joke, I highly recommend adding Monty Python and the Holy Grail to your Netflix queue.)
Ryan Couture
Veteran 