It has to be one of the most shocking events in recent MMA memory, “The Natural” Randy Couture has decided to end his current relationship with the UFC. According to a report by Josh Gross of Sherdog.com he faxed in his resignation to Dana White. It has been a roller coaster turn for Couture who retired after a loss to Chuck Liddell and returned to defeat Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga taking the heavyweight championship in the process. It appears that Fedor Emelianenko’s apparent signing with another organization outside the UFC was a factor in the decision. Couture’s fight purse was apparently also a factor in the decision

The official UFC website ufc.com had this quote from UFC president and partner Dana White.

"I’m not surprised at all by Randy’s decision. I talked to Randy several weeks ago and he said that if he couldn’t fight Fedor (Emelianenko), then he has nothing left to prove in the sport of mixed martial arts.

He has been doing a lot of acting, and I know he is in South Africa right now filming a movie. I think it’s a great move for Randy’s acting career to retire from fighting while he is on top.

As we all know, Randy retired before. The landscape in MMA changes every day. So when he is ready to come out of retirement again, he is still under contract with me, and I’m ready to promote him.”

Randy Couture is currently shooting the movie “The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian” which is the prequel to “The Scorpion King” which in turn was a spin off of a character from “The Mummy.” “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson will not reprise his role as the lead. “The Scorpion King 2” will be directed by “Highlander” and “Resident Evil 3 :Extinction” director Russell Mulcahy and features Couture in a lead as the main villain in the movie. MMA Ring Report could not reach Randy Couture in time for this report.-MMARR-