Following back-to-back losses, UFC releases Ryan Couture

After migrating from the defunct Strikeforce to the UFC, lightweight Ryan Couture (6-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) hoped to build a career in the promotion where his father was a champion and star.

But after two straight losses in the octagon, Couture’s time in the UFC has, for now, come to an end. The fighter this past week received a letter releasing him from his contract, manager Sam Spira today told MMAjunkie.com.

Couture, the son of multi-time champ and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, amassed a 6-1 record in Strikeforce and met increasingly stiff challenges when the promotion was acquired by UFC parent Zuffa in 2011. In his final three performances, he notched wins over more experienced competitors such as Conor Heun, Joe Duarte and K.J. Noons.

Shortly after moving to the UFC, the 31-year-old Couture was caught in the middle of a nasty fallout between UFC President Dana White and his father, who was banned from UFC events by White after he signed a multi-platform deal with Bellator broadcast partner Spike TV.

White said his enmity toward the elder Couture wouldn’t extend to the retired fighter’s son, although he forbid “The Natural” from acting as a corner when Ryan Couture debuted in the octagon at UFC on FUEL TV 9.

Ryan Couture faced “The Ultimate Fighter 9? winner Ross Pearson, who had twice his professional experience and had faced a bevy of high-level opposition. He lost via second-round TKO.

Three months later, at UFC 164, Ryan Couture returned to meet “The Ultimate Fighter 15? finalist Al Iaquinta, who replaced an injured Quinn Mulhern. He was dominated en route to losing a unanimous decision.

Spira said the younger Couture will regroup and look to gain more experience on a smaller platform before deciding whether to make another push to win another contract with the UFC.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Ryan Couture)