By STEPHEN C. SMITH, SR.<\/p>\n
Funny thing about being in the military – once you’ve been a part of it, you don’t look back on the experience as just some job you had – it’s a part of who you are.<\/p>\n
So when Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Randy Couture flashed back to his days in uniform during his visit here last week, his stock among desert-residing UFC fans shot up even further.<\/p>\n
“I used to be in the military myself, “Couture said. “I spent some time in the Army and I really appreciate what you guys are doing over here. It means a lot to all of us and coming over here to see you all is the least we can do.”<\/p>\n
Couture, who appeared along with middleweight champion Rich Franklin and UFC All-Access host Rachelle Leah, still straddles the line between his military and wrestling backgrounds – pairing a military-style buzz-cut with and a wrestler’s cauliflower ears.<\/p>\n
To him, both are badges of honor.<\/p>\n
Though now comfortably ensconced at the UFC broadcast table, the 42-year-old former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the octagon for the right opponent.<\/p>\n
But, in a sport that doesn’t have any old-timer’s days – Couture has to weigh his options carefully.<\/p>\n
“I’m not going to come out of retirement to fight just anybody, “he said. “The circumstances have to be right in order for me to do that.<\/p>\n
Knowing how and when to pick your battles? Sounds like a military man to me.<\/p>\n
(Stephen C. Smith Sr., a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, is currently deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in Southwest Asia. Contact him of the Wichita Falls Times Record News at www.trnonline.com.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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