UFC legend and actor hospitalized after drag-racing crash at KC-area track
After finding success as a UFC fighter and actor, Randy Couture has been pursuing a new interest: auto racing.
That took Couture to the Flying H Drag Strip in Odessa, Missouri, where he suffered a serious accident Tuesday while practicing, according to TMZ, which said he was airlifted to a burn center.
That drag strip is part of the I-70 Motorsports Park.
Drag Illustrated reported that Couture, 62, “suffered first- and second-degree burns, including injuries to one of his hands, along with suspected broken ribs and smoke inhalation after a violent crash during the session.”
That story said Couture was in stable condition at a local hospital.
Couture, a former U.S. Army Sargent, won six UFC world championships in the heavyweight and lightweight divisions, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame noted. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2006.
After retiring from MMA, he became an actor and appeared in all four “The Expendables” movies along with TV shows like “Hawaii Five-O” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
Scag Racing announced in April that Couture would be competing in the National Hot Rod Association’s Pro Mod drag racing series.
“I’m excited to jump in with both feet,’ Couture said in an NHRA news release about his new venture. “It’s not something I ever saw myself doing, but neither was fighting, and neither was acting, and those things turned out pretty well.
“This is a new way to tickle that competitive spirit that I’ve had most of my life; a new place for me to get competitive and make a mark in racing. I’ll bring all the things I developed as a wrestler and martial artist into this realm and see what we can do. I have no idea how it’s going to go, but I’m excited about the opportunities.”
Drag Illustrated said Couture was scheduled to make his racing debut at the 2025 Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
This story was originally published July 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM with the headline "UFC legend and actor hospitalized after drag-racing crash at KC-area track."
