By STEPHEN C. SMITH, SR.
Funny thing about being in the military – once you’ve been a part of it, you don’t look back on the experience as just some job you had – it’s a part of who you are.
So when Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Randy Couture flashed back to his days in uniform during his visit here last week, his stock among desert-residing UFC fans shot up even further.
“I used to be in the military myself, “Couture said. “I spent some time in the Army and I really appreciate what you guys are doing over here. It means a lot to all of us and coming over here to see you all is the least we can do.”
Couture, who appeared along with middleweight champion Rich Franklin and UFC All-Access host Rachelle Leah, still straddles the line between his military and wrestling backgrounds – pairing a military-style buzz-cut with and a wrestler’s cauliflower ears.
To him, both are badges of honor.
Though now comfortably ensconced at the UFC broadcast table, the 42-year-old former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the octagon for the right opponent.
But, in a sport that doesn’t have any old-timer’s days – Couture has to weigh his options carefully.
“I’m not going to come out of retirement to fight just anybody, “he said. “The circumstances have to be right in order for me to do that.
Knowing how and when to pick your battles? Sounds like a military man to me.
(Stephen C. Smith Sr., a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, is currently deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Southwest Asia. Contact him of the Wichita Falls Times Record News at www.trnonline.com.)
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