Randy Couture held his first public news conference on Thursday since his announcement that he was leaving the UFC.

His main point: he didn't have a secret motivation for leaving the UFC. He did it simply because of a perceived lack of respect, and it's something he has felt for a long time.

"I just want to be treated the way that I deserve and I haven't been treated that way in a long time," said Couture. "On top of that was the offer to Fedor (Emelianenko). He was being offered more in his signing bonus then I've ever been paid to fight. I wasn't going to ask for a renegotiation of my contract even if Fedor signed. I guess anything is possible but I think it's time to move on."

Couture added that his current UFC contract ends after nine months, regardless of the fact that there are still two fights remaining, after which he is free to fight anywhere. But he isn't looking to take on Emelianenko, as many have speculated.

"The contract is void at the end of the term. However that doesn't really matter in this case because I'm not trying to go fight elsewhere," added Couture.

For more notes from Couture's news conference, click here.