UFC icon Randy Couture was airlifted to a burn center with serious injuries after crashing a racecar during a National Hot Rod Association practice run in Kansas City on Tuesday.
Couture suffered first and second-degree burns, trauma injuries and smoke inhalation, according to TMZ Sports.
The cause of the accident has not been reported, but the 62-year-old is expected to recover.
Couture had been transitioning from fighting to car racing, and he was in Kansas City preparing for his NHRA debut in a ‘37 Chevy Pro Mod named “Al Capone.”
The Everett, Wash. native had been slated to make his NHRA debut in the Pro Mod Division at the American Rebel Light Virginia NHRA Nationals in Virginia, which took place in June.
Couture withdrew from that race, stating at the time in a social media video: “We’ve been working hard, doing a lot of testing. Just not comfortable yet.
“I need some more seat time, especially in ‘Al Capone.’ Bottom line is I have to have more seat time to be safe, not only for myself, but for whoever I’m lining up against. I really wish I could be racing with my SCAG Racing teammates in Virginia, but it’s just not there yet.”
The scary accident took place weeks later.
When he first revealed he would be transitioning to drag racing in April, Couture told the NHRA: “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 is a six-time UFC champion, including three heavyweight titles, two light heavyweight titles and an interim light heavyweight title.