Randy Couture has taken a bad turn from the Octagon into a Las Vegas courtroom.  The 44-year-old mixed martial arts fighter has reportedly strained his relationship with UFC when he made some comments about the organization and its senior management that allegedly caused the business irreparable damage.

Lawyers for Zuffa, LLC, the UFC's parent company, filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court, claiming that Couture is in breach of the contract he signed with the company in December 2006.

Couture, who holds notable wins over Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort, Pedro Rizzo, Kevin Randleman, Jeremy Horn, Gabriel Gonzaga and Tim Sylvia, is the only athlete to have held championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the UFC, as well as the only five-time champion in UFC history, earning him the nicknames "The Natural" and, later, "Captain America".  He is considered by many to be the most popular fighter in MMA history, and is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame.

"We are alleging numerous intentional torts, which have caused Zuffa and the UFC significant harm," attorney Donald J. Campbell said.  "Based upon that harm we are seeking to address these matters before a court of law."

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $10,000 and declares that the amount of both compensatory and punitive damages would be proven at trial.  It also seeks an injunction restraining Couture from participating in any way in any promotion competing against the UFC. This is the most recent episode of discord between Couture and UFC President Dana White, who said he has considered Couture a friend for eight years.

"What's really tough for me, to be honest, is we have been friends for a very long time," White said. "The hard part is that he is not living up to his obligations. Captain America is not keeping his word."

-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MMA News
(Image courtesy of thenatural.tv)