"It's not a done deal," but White confirms Couture vs. Toney targeted for UFC 118 by John Morgan on Apr 25, 2010 at 3:45 am ET SACRAMENTO, Calif. – UFC legend Randy Couture will apparently get his wish. "The Natural" has been openly campaigning for a chance to welcome pro boxer James Toney to the world of MMA, and UFC president Dana White on Saturday night admitted he's willing to let Couture have his shot. Following the evening's "WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber" post-event press conference, White told a small group of reporters that he was in the process of finalizing a bout between Couture and Toney for the organization's first-ever trip to Boston. "It's not a done deal yet," White said. "But yeah, I'm working on that." White confirmed he hopes to arrange the bout for the as-yet-unannounced UFC 118 event, which is expected to take place Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston. Toney, 41, won a UFC contract in early March after a protracted trash-talk campaign against UFC president Dana White and several mixed martial arts fighters. The former boxing champion sought the guidance of boxing and MMA coach Juanito Ibarra and at several points welcomed a fight with Couture (though he called out virtually every MMA star he could name). Couture, 46, railroaded fellow UFC Hall of Fame member Mark Coleman in his most recent performance at UFC 109. The win shook off controversy that lingered after his prior appearance, a close decision victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 105 this past November.
I had a feeling they would do this. Cash-in on the Toney name rather than risk him losing to a scrub. If Toney loses here, it won't be a suprise for anyone...it'll make MMA look good as a sport, and Toney will have to 'go back to the drawing board' (if he's still interested)....and start from the bottom. Lose then, and that could be the point where he's let go.
I wonder if they'll make this a heavyweight fight or if they will set a special catchweight limit (like they did with Kimbo).....i can't see Toney getting down to 205, but if they should set some sort of limit, just to ensure that he gets himself into some sort of reasonable shape.
Toney isn't gonna be matched up with any current top fighters. If he beats Couture, he'll continue on the 'Legends Circuit'. He'll face Liddell, Tito, Franklin, etc. If they put him in with any of the top heavies like Lesnar, JDS, Carwin, Cain, etc, it would probably be the first homicide on PPV. TFK
:laughing::laughing: I wouldn't favor Toney to beat any of them but I wouldn't be too surprised if he KTFO any of them.
Protip: Being a boxer automatically gives you super powered strength and the ability to knock out anyone with ease. He doesn't even punch harder Junior Dos Santos...:nono:
Come on dude. I am the biggest advocate of MMA when it comes to people assuming boxers could dominate the sport. But you have no idea who hits harder between Dos Santos and Toney. The first time Toney fights with the smaller gloves and hits someone flush, then you might have a better idea.
Really? Well, James has one lone knockout in his last 10 fights (Almost 7 years) Meanwhile Dos Santos has knocked out 4 of his last 5 over only a year and a half span. What have you done for me lately?
Toney isn't even a puncher. What makes you think his punching power is that good. You think he hits harder than Carwin? Lesnar? :atu: All he has is advanced boxing training. Rampage Jackson probably hits harder than him... He hit harder than Chris Byrd in that science show, and Byrd was still a heavyweight then.
Who gives a shit if Dos Santos punches harder?? It's called EFFECTIVE punching. Toney would wipe his ass with Dos Santos if they start to trade punches. Do you even watch the sport?
I don't expect Toney to get one win in the UFC.He's old,overweight and a physical train wreck.I'll give him credit though,he's a good talker(If you can understand him) that's the only reason he got the contract.
Who has JDS tried to take down? JDS will strike him and knock him the fuck out. Just like everyone else. Lol at James Toney. Guy doesn't even know how to kickbox, let alone strike MMA style.
Oh, I apologize. I had no idea Dos Santos had taken up the Marques of Queensberry rules. I thought he still fought MMA. And I 100% favor JDS over Toney in an MMA bout. And yes, I think JDS can have success in the stand-up game versus Toney especially if Toney has to worry about getting taken down everytime JDS feints or dips or lunges. Apples and oranges kids. Clinches aren't safe and you can't stand there rolling your shoulder because your ass will end up on the ground.
Ray Mercer KTFO Tim Sylvia not too long ago and you guys still have the audacity to act like this is a foregone conclusion. I wouldn't bet on Toney but I definitely wouldn't be surprised if he KTFO anyone in an MMA match either.
It's not even that, Sylvia was fat, washed up and really...it's Sylvia when was he ever elite. Both Carwin and JDS and even shot Cro Coo would destroy Mecer standing easily. Carwin would just bull him against he cage and Mercer would prbably tap before his beating even came. This is the same guy, afterall who quit a kickboxing match 5 seconds in, after a head kick was thrown.
Doesn't make him elite. Randleman was champ, his prime was shorter than him though. Baldomir was THE welterweight champion of the world, and you still call him shit. :notallthere:
That same Ray Mercer was choked out by that just-less-than-accomplished Jiu-Jitsu practicioner Kimbo Slice. :: That fight shows exactly what can happen when a boxer goes into an MMA fight thinking all he has to do is throw punches. One clinch, one take down and it was game over. Personally I think the chances are far greater that a good wrestler gets a take down than the chances of a good boxer landing that knock out shot before getting put on his back.