‘UFC’ legend Randy Couture is speaking out after suffering a major heart attack and is clearing up any rumors he might have died from the incident.
The former two-division UFC champ released a statement on his status on Friday.
“Contrary to recent rumors, I have not kicked the bucket yet,” Couture wrote. “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!”
Couture (19-11), known as “The Natural” by many of his fans, set multiple records during his run at heavyweight, including three separate reigns as champion with wins over Vitor Belfort, Kevin Randleman, Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga.
He also helped usher in the debut of the 205-pound division for UFC, stopping Chuck Liddell at UFC 43 by third-round TKO and ending a 10-fight win streak for “The Iceman” in the process. He went on to defeat Tito Ortiz by decision to claim the inaugural 205-pound title before dropping it to Belfort.
Couture stepped away from UFC in 2007 — after multiple disputes with the organization over fighter pay and contracted bouts as the heavyweight champion — but returned in 2008 and subsequently suffered a second-round TKO loss to Brock Lesnar for the heavyweight title.
