Toney: "if they shoot in on me, they getting launched into outer space"

This is obviously a difficult question which revolves around how much MMA training RJJ would have prior to a serious challenger in the cage.

 

I look at it two ways:

-The only chance GSP has of winning this fight is to get the takedown, first and foremost. There's nothing else he has in his repertoire on his feet that will give him a prayer against the handspeed, accuracy and footspeed of a Roy Jones.

-The only chance Roy has of winning this fight is landing punches before getting taken down.

The variables here are the quality of GSP's own striking vs the chances of Roy being able to avoid a takedown. GSP has to get close to Roy to get that takedown. Roy has to get close to GSP to land a punch.
Intriguing fight I must say.:kidcool:

I guess Randy vs Toney will be some sort of barometer here for us to gauge?

 

Well...every fight starts standing. If i was training Jones, I'd put the drills on him in keeping distance using his footwork, circling and throwing powerful jabs to the head and body. I wouldn't try to turn him into a part time grappler. LOL! He's too old for that.
After seeing what Machida did to Evans and what Velasquez did to Noguira, no reason why a boxer can't find his range on somebody's chin. GSP would obviously NEED to get that takedown as quickly as possible. No guarantee that he could since he first has to risk his fragile chin by getting through the hands of Jones.
Like I said, an interesting clash of styles. Would be very interesting to see what a top level MMA camp could do to mould Jones into an MMA fighter. They'd let him be a striker but have him training in defending takedowns and being able to avoid subs.

 

What would Velasquez vs. Nog have to do with anything?

 

An example of a fighter trying to close distance only to be met by a lightning-bolt 3 punch combination that puts him on his ass. Visualize Nog being GSP and Velasquez being a poor man's Roy Jones.
Merely an example of just how lethal a striker can be.

 

Couture also can't turn back the clock nor learn how to move his head to avoid a punch. Couture is going to do what he normally does. The question is what can James Toney do?