UFC hall of famer Randy Couture was airlifted to a burn center following a crash during National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) practice runs in Kansas City on Tuesday.
TMZ was the first to report the news.
Couture, 62, was set to make his NHRA debut this year. He was planning on taking part in the Pro Mod division and was originally slated to debut at the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals in June. Couture withdrew stating that he didn’t feel ready to race in “Al Capone” which is what he calls his ’37 Chevy Pro Mod vehicle.
“We’ve been working hard, doing a lot of testing. Just not comfortable yet,” Couture said in a video on social media in June.
“I need some more seat time, especially in ‘Al Capone’. Bottom line is I have to have more seat time to be safe, not only for myself, but for whoever I’m lining up against. I really wish I could be racing with my SCAG Racing teammates in Virginia, but it’s just not there yet.”
Couture is expected to recover after suffering first and second-degree burns and smoke inhalation. He was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, but it’s not clear what caused the accident as of this post.
Couture (19-11) is a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, and three-time UFC heavyweight champion. The UFC hall-of-famer officially retired from competition in 2011 at 47-years-old following a loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129.
