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UFC legend Randy Couture was airlifted to a burn center after he suffered significant injuries following a car crash while he was practicing at a race track in Kansas City.
The 62-year-old UFC Hall of Famer has been working towards making his debut on the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) this year when he got into a serious accident during a practice run on Tuesday. Couture suffered first and second degree burns on his body along with trauma injuries and smoke inhalation.
The car Couture was driving crashed and he was then airlifted to a local burn center for treatment where he currently remains while recovering. Sources close to Couture confirmed his injuries to MMA Fighting on Wednesday but the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion is expected to recover.
There’s no word yet what caused the accident leading to Couture’s injuries.
TMZ first reported the news about the crash.
Couture has been practicing and working towards eventually participating in a race for several months as the MMA legend continues to add more occupations to his resume.
A few weeks back, Couture admitted in an interview that race car driving as a completely “different animal” from even competing in MMA where he’s widely considered one of the greatest of all time.
“I’ve been a fan of racing for 12, 13 years,” Couture said. “From up in the stands it looks really easy — oh they just go fast … it’s so much more involved.”
One of only a handful of two-division champions in UFC history, Couture transitioned into coaching, commentary and acting after his fighting career was over. He opened Xtreme Couture, which remains one of the most popular gyms in Las Vegas, and he’s currently part of the broadcast team at PFL as well while also appearing in numerous films and television shows in recent years.