NO HOLDS BARRED

(Photo by Paula Romero)

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Randy "The Natural" Couture.

Randy has just put out a new book, along with photographer Sara Levin, called "The Last Round". The book chronicles the final fight in his career, and includes numerous observations on his many years of competition in both wrestling and MMA.

In the book, despite indicating that he will likely devote a large part of his time to working in a new position in MMA, he wrote, "I will always be a wrestler."

So when we spoke with Randy right after the news conference for the MMA World Expo on Friday in New York, we focused on the implications of that statement. As a four-time U.S national champion in Greco-Roman wrestling and a two-time runner-up in the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships, he still wants to help the sport which laid the basis for his success in mixed martial arts.

We thus discussed some of the problems facing college wrestling, the recent revival of catch wrestling including the holding of catch tournaments at his Xtreme Couture training facility in Las Vegas, the recent rule changes in Greco-Roman wrestling, and much more.

In addition, that news conference at which Randy Couture spoke included discussion about why MMA is still illegal in New York and other issues. We begin this show by commenting upon these issues.

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