by Dann Stupp on Jun 17, 2008 at 3:44 pm ET
Kim Couture will make her professional MMA debut Friday at a combination boxing-MMA show -- one that's expected to draw approximately 18,000 spectators at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center.
After that, though, the pro MMA rookie and Vice President of Xtreme Couture isn't sure what the future holds.
However, Couture today told TAGG Radio (
www.mmajunkie.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com), that she's been in talks with Strikeforce about a possible deal, and that the Kentucky-based American Fight League has offered a lucrative contract.
"I've spoken to Strikeforce, and actually, I'm looking at the American Fight League right now," said Couture, who guest-hosted the show. "Tara LaRosa just signed with them. I made that introduction happen. These guys have a lot of money. They're coming from the right place."
LaRosa, widely regarded as the sport's top female fighter, reportedly earned a deal worth more than $500,000. (The AFL would neither confirm nor deny the amount when contacted by MMAjunkie.com.) The AFL's recent shopping spree has also netted solid talent -- and plenty of publicity. In addition to LaRosa, the AFL recently signed former WWE performer and decorated amateur wrestler Bobby Lashley.
However, Couture admits that her free time is at a premium and that it's slowed her decision-making process. In addition to managing the career of UFC heavyweight champion and husband Randy Couture, Kim Couture also runs Xtreme Couture, one of the sport's most prominent training centers. The Couture empire is quickly expanding with a nutrition line, merchandising and other ventures, and when factoring in family life, Couture isn't sure she's ready to sign a long-term deal.
"I'm just looking into it," Couture said of the AFL deal. "I'm having commitment issues there. They've given me a contract, but this was meant to be fun. You put a contract in front of me, and I'm like, 'Well, do I have the time to really commit to something like this?' I'm just taking it slow."
Couture basically has a hard time putting herself first.
"They did offer me a really big contract, but I am doing this for fun," she said. "My priorities are my gym, my son, Randy, his career -- I juggle a lot. To step up and do this contract would be putting myself first, and it'd have to be a priority. It'd have to be the first thing on my plate, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that yet. I might.
"It's just a lot more pressure with the piece of paper is in front of you."
Her first order of business, though, is Friday's fight with fellow professional newcomer Kim Rose. The female bout is one of four MMA fights (and six boxing matches) scheduled for the event, dubbed "Free For All, Night of Combat" and promoted by Banner Promotions.
The Couture-Rose fight serves as the co-main event to the headline bout of John Alessio vs. Pete Spratt. Approximately 18,000 event tickets were distributed throughout Las Vegas -- for free -- and the boxing portion of the event will air on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" series. Wanderlei Silva, Randy Couture, Mike Pyle, Vitor Belfort, Gray Maynard, referee "Big" John McCarthy and other MMA fighters will be on hand to sign autographs during the event.
"She's a stand-up [fighter]," Couture said of her opponent. "She's aggressive with heavy hands."
Back in April, Couture made her official amateur debut and defeated Jessica Cruz with a third-round TKO. Couture's reach proved to be a key to victory, and she expects it to be just as valuable on Friday.
"The thing that I run into is -- because I'm so skinny for my height -- [all my opponents] are going to be shorter than me, more than likely," she said. "I'm 5-foot-8. I think this girl is 5-foot-4 or 5-foot-5. ... I even have a height advantage over the girls who are 5-foot-8. I've got really long, monkey arms. <laughs> That's a good thing. I'm going to use it my advantage."
Couture will be cornered by Gina Carano (a trainer partner and undefeated EliteXC Fighter), boxing coach Chris Ben and Randy Couture.
Speaking of her husband, Couture also debunked rumors about their relationship while on the show. Although they've tried to lead a fairly low-profile life outside of MMA, they've been the subject of many rumors and lots of speculation.
Most notably, Couture put to rest the rumors that she met her husband while working as a stripper. Couture said she's never stripped. In fact, the former cop later worked as a casino food and beverage director and then as an executive casino host for Wynn Las Vegas. She had a very solid reputation within the hotel-casino industry.
So how did the rumors develop? Well, UFC welterweight Matt Hughes is at least partially to blame.
"When Hughes and (Rich) Franklin were on [The Ultimate Fighter 2], I had a surprise birthday party for Randy, and I invited everybody from the show because Randy was still doing a guest coaching appearance," Couture said. "Matt went around and told the whole (production) crew, 'I would never go. Randy was my hero, and he's no longer. I can't believe he's with a stripper or a hooker' or whatever. And I'm like, 'What's he talking about?' Well, time went by, and I hated the guy. I was like, 'This guy doesn't even know me. I don't know where he's getting this information from.' I've worked my ass off and had some very prestigious jobs.
"So, he kind of knew Randy wasn't talking to him at the events we'd go to. I wasn't talking to him and was like, 'Who does this guy think he is?' He came up to me at one of the (UFC) Fight Nights, and he said ... 'I'm Matt Hughes. I'm an asshole, and I owe you an apology.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, from what I hear, you're an asshole. I don't know where you get your information from.' And he says, 'Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know, but Randy won't talk to me, and I'm going to go apologize to him now. From everybody I talk to, you're really cool, and I just never gave you a chance, and I just didn't know where you came from.'"
Obviously, Couture was confused as to why Hughes would then work the prostitution angle if he didn't know anything about her.
"I'm like, 'So, you thought you'd make up that I was a stripper and a hooker and go tell 5,000 people?'" she said.
Couture said that Hughes then offered an apology -- and that she accepted. The relationship is good enough that they exchange pleasantries when running into each other at events, but she's still disappointed that so much damage has been done by Hughes.
"The unfortunate part is that all the people he said that to for two years don't know he's apologized," Couture said. "They're still going around thinking the information Matt Hughes gave them is correct."
To check out today's full interview -- which includes more information about Friday's event, the Xtreme Couture empire, and her training routine -- download today's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.
