The sport of drag racing has a lot in common with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It takes a strong competitive spirit to be successful, and UFC hall of famer Randy Couture has plenty of that. SCAG Racing announced that Couture will be driving a Pro Mod later this year as part of its racing program.

Couture learned what it takes to win during his time as an amateur wrestler and in the combat sports arena. On the mat, Couture was a three-time Olympic team alternate, and three-time NCAA D1 All-American for Oklahoma State University. In the UFC, Couture held a UFC title on six different occasions and was a part of some of the most legendary MMA fights the sport has ever seen.

After meeting Randy Gloede from SCAG at Pomona and developing a relationship, Couture expressed interest in getting behind the wheel of a race car.

“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,” Couture says. “To be a SCAG guy and involved with SCAG is huge to me. I think we’re going to make a mark in the sport, reach new eyes, potentially from the MMA world and the rest of the world that are going to be interested in this world simply because of this relationship and that’s what it’s all about.”

The plan now is for Couture to get some more seat time in a Pro Mod before making his debut in the SCAG car at the Virginia NHRA Nationals. We’ll get our first glimpse of Couture’s ride in a few weeks at the Route 66 NHRA Nationals.