Brett OkamotoJul 9, 2025, 05:50 PM ET
CloseBrett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
Mixed martial arts legend Randy Couture was airlifted to a burn center Tuesday in Kansas City with injuries stemming from a single car accident at a pro stock car racetrack.
Sources close to Couture confirmed his hospitalization to ESPN on Wednesday, following an initial report by TMZ, which said Couture suffered first- and second-degree burns, trauma injuries and smoke inhalation in the accident.
The “initial hope and belief” is that Couture is expected to recover, sources told ESPN.
Couture, 62, was expected to make his National Hot Rod Association racing debut later this year. An avid motorcyclist for years, Couture had started the licensing process to officially compete.
A former two-weight MMA champion in the UFC, Couture was inducted into the promotion’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
Couture remains involved in the fight game through Xtreme Couture, a professional gym he owns in Las Vegas, and as a commentator for PFL, which airs on ESPN in the U.S.