Couture and Jacre Draw at X-Mission

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 17---Though his body twisted like a pretzel multiple times tonight, Randy "The Natural" Couture still managed to resist the "the Alligator’s" jaws for ten tense minutes of his submission grappling match against Ronaldo de Souza at the Professional Submission League’s “X-Mission” from the Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Culver City, California.

At one point of first four-minute period, a vivacious Jacare had Couture’s toes torqued from behind, then went for a kneebar twice. PSL regulations warranted three points for a near submission, but a watchful “Big” John McCarthy – brought in to referee the main event – signalled the holds did not meet the criteria to be counted. A heated Wallid Ismail, cornering Jacare, verbally protested the call, but no award would be made.

Couture and the constantly moving Jacare continued their dance, with the fromer UFC champion taking the Mundials, World Cup, and Abu Dhabi’s back in the final seconds. Too low on the Brazilian’s lanky body and with no hooks secured though, Couture had little recourse in the position. Eight minutes yielded no points for either and two one-minute sudden death periods were added. At the end of ten minutes, the bout was declared a draw.

Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling alternate Couture – who retired from MMA competition last February - likened the experience to a wrestling meet, and said he’d try another if he could dedicate more time to his shortened training schedule. A crowd of supporters openly asked the Natural when he’d return to fighting. The 43-year-old icon only flashed his toothy smile.

Click here to read the full X-Mission event report by Loretta Hunt

Full Results

Professional Submission League: X-Mission
November 17th 2006
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium Culver City, CA

Randy "The Natural" Couture vs. Ronaldo de Souza
Draw

Vladimir Matyushenko def. Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes
Decision (1 pt)

Marcelo Garcia def. Jake Shields
Tapout (Guillotine Choke) 3:40 R1

Alberto Crane def.. Rani Yahira
Tapout (Armbar) 3:38 R2

Kron Gracie def. Andy Wang
Decision (4 pts)

Rafael Lovato Jr def. Robert Camargo de Alencar
Decision (7 pts)

Jeff Glover def. Shane Rice
Decision (3 pts)

Mac Danzig def. Alan Zvborosky
TKO (Referee Stoppage from Choke) 1:12 R1