UFC president Dana White tagged Couture’s decision a “retirement,” citing the 44-year-old’s departure from the sport in 2006 before returning in March 2007 to reclaim the heavyweight title from lumbering 6-foot-8, 265-pound Tim Sylvia.

“It’s not a retirement,” said Couture Friday, who also works as on-air analyst and ambassador for The Fight Network. “It’s a resignation from the UFC organization.”

It's interesting that Couture is making this distinction now. It almost certainly means that he is at least considering the possibility of hunting down Fedor for one last career defining fight. We'll keep you posted.