Randy Couture signed a new 7-fight deal with the UFC just minutes before his fight this evening. The new deal supersedes his old deal, and was effective beginning with Couture’s fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira tonight at UFC 102.
The deal is effectively a career ender. Nobody on either side expects Randy to fight 7 more times. This is the longest deal Couture has ever signed, and at 46 years old, it will almost certainly be the last.
Strikeforce’s acquisition of Fedor Emelianenko gave Couture leverage he did not have before. He never threatened to leave, but the possibility was enough to encourage Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta to call Randy in for a private meeting to make him an unsolicited blockbuster offer.
Sam Spira, Couture’s attorney, refused to comment on the compensation under the new deal, but confirmed the deal and noted that Couture was thrilled with the deal and excited to finish his career in the UFC. Matt Walker, Couture’s sports agent, also confirmed the existence of the deal and believes this will be a great milestone in Couture’s career.
Since Strikeforce signed Fedor, the UFC has renegotiated and extended the contracts of Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar, ensuring neither man will fight Fedor unless he signs with the UFC.
Sources on the UFC side suggested the deal Randy received was a slightly modified version of the deal offered to Fedor Emelianenko in July.