Randy Couture responds to Dana White: 'We need to control our own destinies'

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture has had his issues with Zuffa and Dana White in the past, but they've always been able to come back to the table and work together. This time though, it seems like they've split up for good. Couture recently took a job with Spike TV to work on Bellator's new reality show, something that did not please Mr. White at all. Couture's response to Dana's tirade was a lot calmer, but he says he knew what was going to happen when Dana found out (via Josh Gross of ESPN):

"All the things that have taken place in the last couple weeks, I'd be surprised if there's an opportunity to come back. I don't think there's any going back."

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"If Dana's anything he's predictable," Couture said. "You know how he's going to be. We anticipated that. We kind of knew where it was gonna end up. It's unfortunate that it has to be that way, because I don't think it's necessary. But Dana's Dana."

Couture stated that he attempted (through his attorney) to create "significant" projects with the UFC since his retirement, but they didn't seem interested. He had an agreement to appear on four Fox broadcasts with the UFC, and each side had a 30-day cancellation clause. He chose to exercise his end of the clause on December 21st, and says that he let Zuffa know as much as he could (a non-disclosure agreement limited what he could say), but they passed on keeping him around. So he jumped ship.

"At the end of the day, we have to recognize we are a brand," Couture said. "We need to control our own destinies as much as we can. I think standing up for yourself and realizing I have a small window of opportunity as an athlete to make significant amount of money, and that has to carry me through the rest of my life."

Couture will join Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren as a coach on the reality series, which will air this summer on Spike.