When Sara Levin was working at USA Wrestling in the events department, she had the opportunity to get to know more than her fair share of athletes.

One of those athletes who sat on the Greco-Roman ladder was Randy Couture, a two-time NCAA runner-up at Oklahoma State and four-time representative on the U.S. World Team.

Working with Couture, Levin recently published a coffee table book, which chronicles the lead in to Couture’s last fight, aptly titled “The Last Round." Couture, who’s autobiography was a New York Times best-seller, gave Levin unprecedented access to the man known as “The Natural" during his stellar run in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. 

“I have always wanted to tell a story about Randy," said Levin. “He’s been a good friend since 1998 and I’m quick to sing his praises. I’ve always felt he’s had a great story to tell.  I'd been looking for a project to do with him because he’s so genuine and so unique."

Fans will have the opportunity to pick up their copy of the book at the NCAA Division I Championships Fan Fest. Despite a wrestling career ending nearly a decade and a half ago, Couture remains one of the most popular wrestlers of the generation due to his mainstream appeal in the UFC.

Levin’s usage of non-professional photography equipment was done on purpose and it gives the reader a look into Couture’s preparation for the last fight. The book was also designed by Levin and includes essays written by Couture highlighted, or in this case, low-lighted, by candid photographs.

“The camera itself is from the toy camera category, it’s a fixed focus lens, there’s no zoom to it," explained Levin. “It’s not 100 percent sealed, so you get light leaks in there. You can get scratches on your negatives from the film rolling through. It’s an imperfect process. MMA and wrestling are low-tech and very raw sports and there are flaws within the profession. I feel this best reflected that."

“I’m pretty happy with how it turned out," said Couture. “In a lot of ways, it does two things. It gives people a behind the scenes look that they don’t get to see with a training camp leading into the fight and the journey I’ve been on the last 14 years since transitioning from wrestling."

Through the lens of the Holga camera, Levin followed Couture for 10 weeks, capturing moments in an artistic black and white format and getting closer than many ever have to Couture, even in the cage.

“I wanted it to be an accessible book. I want people to think they could be there and have taken those photographs.  I couldn’t be a casual observer. I had to be up close," said Levin. “The ideal range of this camera is three feet. When I wanted to get shots of him sparring, I had to get locked in the cage with him."

Despite the friendship between the two, it took Couture a little while to sign off on the project.

“I wasn’t too keen on it, it was Sara’s idea," said Couture. “It took me a while to warm up to the idea of having someone follow me around and be that closely involved in my private life. It’s been difficult enough being in the public eye as a professional fighter.

“Sara made it pretty painless and we got through it and the final product shows it," he said.

“It’s been very well received," said Levin. “(UFC President) Dana White said he really liked it. I’m honored that the NCAA would allow us to be part of the Fan Fest. I’ve gotten great feedback. Other fighters seem to like the idea of it. Randy’s so well respected, it’s well-received because it’s from Randy."

Levin makes no bones about her bias towards Couture, even mentioning during the introduction, she came into this project trying to shed her rose-colored glasses.

“What he contributed to the sport of MMA was momentous," said Levin. “I know the sport would not have the validity it does today without Randy Couture’s participation. I felt it was important to him as a friend that he also reflect on his contribution on what could be the fastest-growing sport in the world at the moment.  Only he would know what would be his last fight. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record that. He needed to reflect on it."

Said Couture: “I’ve known Sara for 20 years and I’ve been very comfortable this was going to be the last fight and it makes sense in regards to that."

Couture will be attending his first NCAA Division I Championships since 1999.

“I’m excited to go check out the wrestling, cheer on my alma mater, the Cowboys, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun," said Couture.

The book is a great conversation piece for wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike. Couture’s foray into Hollywood has given him even more acceptance beyond wrestling and fighting cultures.

“I’m excited to be back out in the wrestling community and I hope they enjoy the book as much as the MMA community seems to enjoy it," said Couture.

Fans can pick up The Last Round in bookstores nationwide or online at Amazon.

FAN FEST INFORMATION:
Autograph signings Friday, March 16 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. & Saturday, March 17 from 1-3 p.m.

Couture will also be involved with the NCAA Semifinal Preview Show at the Fan Fest on Friday at 4 p.m and be one of the Marshals for the Parade of All-Americans.

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLastRound.Couture.Levin