Couture-Toney Targeted For UFC 118

[Benny B]

In a match likely to re-ignite the "boxing vs. MMA" debate, a bout between 10-time UFC champion Randy Couture (18-10 MMA, 15-7 UFC) and former boxing champion James Toney (0-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is targeted for the UFC's first trip to Boston.

Fighters Only was the first to report the possibility of the pairing, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed that while the matchup is far from official, it's in the works for a headlining spot at the event.

Although not officially announced, UFC 118 is expected to take place Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston. Two high-profile lightweight fights are currently on tap for the Northeast event: newly minted champion Frankie Edgar fights the man he deposed for the belt, B.J. Penn, in an immediate rematch of their recent UFC 112 bout, and two-time contender Kenny Florian faces standout Gray Maynard.

The weight limit of Couture vs. Toney is currently undetermined. Couture is now two fights into a second stint as a light heavyweight, while Toney is primarily regarded as a heavyweight in the boxing world.

The position of Couture vs. Toney on UFC 118's card is also unknown at this time, though sources close to the event say it will likely take a headline or co-headline slot.

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).

Toney is currently training with Ibarra in Southern California as he prepares for his MMA debut.

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, and put him on track for a shot at the 205-pound title.

When Toney signed, however, Couture expressed an immediate interest in welcoming the boxer to MMA.

[George Whorewell]

First round sub or ground and pound TKO by Coture. Talk about throwing Toney to the wolves-- Dana isn't fucking around.

[mame09]

say what you want about james toney but the man has got the biggest balls in combat sports. he has called out everyone in the ufc from chucky to liddell to even lesnar. considering he has a multiple fight contract he is serious about mma.

toney is not as dumb as people think. you dont call out mma fighters for the sake of a $100000 a fight for a payday. dont be surprised if knows how to fudge some of randys takedowns

[Eric15210]

I give Toney credit for fighting Couture but few months of training mma will not be enough

Randy by gnp 1st round

[LatsMcGee]

I give Toney credit for fighting Couture but few months of training mma will not be enough

Randy by gnp 1st round

This is the same thing people said when Randy fought Brock.  Randy has always had problems with bigger heavies,  if James can bait Randy into standing with him he has a really good chance.  I see Randy winning by decision though. 

[heavyNbasic]

say what you want about james toney but the man has got the biggest balls in combat sports. he has called out everyone in the ufc from chucky to liddell to even lesnar. considering he has a multiple fight contract he is serious about mma.

toney is not as dumb as people think. you dont call out mma fighters for the sake of a $100000 a fight for a payday. dont be surprised if knows how to fudge some of randys takedowns

Exactly my thoughts.  6-9 months learning how to avoid Randy's takedowns.  Next thing ya know, Randy's head lands ringside.  I'm taking Lights Out, 1st round KO.

[George Whorewell]

Yeah, but Brock Lesnar is a world class wrestler and physical specimen strength wise. James Toney is a fat fuck who has never wrestled, done jiu jitsu or competed in anything else besides boxing. 6-9 months of practicing take down defense against someone who is an excellent wrestler and  a high level MMA fighter for a decade is not going to do shit. Also throw in the fact that Randy is a pretty sound boxer-- nothing spectacular, but good enough to avoid being knocked out just long enough to take Toney down.

Not to mention the fact that even if Toney makes it out of round 1, he's not going to have the stamina to stuff any takedown defenses or submission attempts in round 2.

[heavyNbasic]

Toney has went the distance many time in his career, and he's a busy fighter for a HW, so I can't see conditioning being a problem.  In general, i think boxers are better conditioned than MMA fighters. 

The Sylvia-Mercer fight is a good example of how dangerous a boxer can be if his strengths are not neutralized quickly.  In an MMA fight, no doubt Randy will win.  What i'm sayin' is that Toney will be prepared to make this a boxing fight.  Toney, rd 1 KO.

Oh, i hope he spends some time learning how to check a leg kick too.  That would be useful.   

[americanbulldog]

Toney has went the distance many time in his career, and he's a busy fighter for a HW, so I can't see conditioning being a problem.  In general, i think boxers are better conditioned than MMA fighters. 

The Sylvia-Mercer fight is a good example of how dangerous a boxer can be if his strengths are not neutralized quickly.  In an MMA fight, no doubt Randy will win.  What i'm sayin' is that Toney will be prepared to make this a boxing fight.  Toney, rd 1 KO.

Oh, i hope he spends some time learning how to check a leg kick too.  That would be useful.   

The same Ray Mercer who was submitted by Kimbo Slice, who up to that point had limited wrestling, and little knowledge of subs.  If you are dumb enough to stand with a pro boxer like Timmay did, Toney would have a chance to beat just about anybody.  Handy will shoot a double, put Toney on his back and finish him quickly.  Even though Handy is a greco guy, he has a clean double.  I doubt he'd be stupid enough to stand with Toney.  No way Toney learns takedown defense sufficient to stuff a Couture TD.  Tito couldn't, no way Toney does. 

[MMA animal]

i dont know what the big deal with randy is, his an old man, ok wrestler and fuckin boring as hell to watch, james tony is a proven puncher, and you cant count someone like that out, he has a very good punchers chance to lay randy the fuck out, i wish it was mir so he can display some good bjj or brandon vera so he can showcase his muay thai and clinch work

[K-1]

Courtesy of FightHype.com

"Toney added, If he stands with me, he's getting knocked out and if he takes me to the ground, he's still getting knocked out!" LMAO

"It aint no thing but a chicken wing. All Randy gotta do is sign the contract and he getting knocked out too, I aint playin with him!" continued Toney


http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content7480.html?PHPSESSID=763efbeb40c9a616577ef8dc3511e406

[HICKSON]

Disgraceful matchmaking right there.

[Benny B]

i dont know what the big deal with randy is, his an old man, ok wrestler and fuckin boring as hell to watch, james tony is a proven puncher, and you cant count someone like that out, he has a very good punchers chance to lay randy the fuck out, i wish it was mir so he can display some good bjj or brandon vera so he can showcase his muay thai and clinch work

Toney is 47 years old. This matchup makes a lot of sense. Champion vs. champion...old fighter past his prime vs. old fighter past his prime. I certainly wouldn't want to see Toney fighting in mma against a high level 30 year old mma fighter.

[MindSpin]

This is a dangerous fight for Randy, whose chin is suspect.  I would have thrown him in there with Junior Dos Santos or Cain Velasquez, just to shut him the f up.

[MMA animal]

i dont think randy can do well against a former pro boxer, i hate to say it his 47 and way passed his prime, and his chin is very very suspect

[*ChuteBoxe*]

This is a dangerous fight for Randy, whose chin is suspect.  I would have thrown him in there with Junior Dos Santos or Cain Velasquez, just to shut him the f up.

Realistically, this fight is an easy fight for Randy.  Giving Toney JDS would actually improve his chances if JDS is dumb enough to exchange even just one punch with Toney.  All Randy has to do is just get Toney down one time to end this fight, which means James has just got to commit to a punch one time, then boom Randy changes levels and probably gets the takedown.  Anyone that exchanges punches with James (even just 1 or 2) risks being knocked out, I don't think Randy is that dumb.  Randy by TKO Gnp, or sub in 1 round.

[James]

After all the shit Toney has talked, you can bet that Dana will have him up against 3 wrestlers in a row, and then he will be cut.

 It will be Couture, Rashad, Jon Jones or Ryan Bader

1 2 3 you're out !!

[coltrane]

My guess it'll be couture first, then Kimbo. 

Coutour gets and easy submission, then Kimbo in a slug fest, with kimbo trying to show some ground game.

[MMA animal]

i wouldve much rather seen tony vs mark coleman, who in my opinion has a better wrestling and ground and pound than randys greco style, both are old as hell and it be good match up

[James]

i wouldve much rather seen tony vs mark coleman, who in my opinion has a better wrestling and ground and pound than randys greco style, both are old as hell and it be good match up

Randy is a better wrestler than Coleman, as evidenced from the recent fight between them.

Randy will do the same thing to James Toney as he did to Mark Coleman.

[*ChuteBoxe*]

Randy will do the same thing to James Toney as he did to Mark Coleman.

Except he won't hurt James with punches while standing.

[James]

I think Couture will take him down, James will eventually roll over after being mounted and getting punched, and Couture will choke him out.

[CARTEL]

My guess it'll be couture first, then Kimbo. 

Coutour gets and easy submission, then Kimbo in a slug fest, with kimbo trying to show some ground game.

If Kimbo is in any type of slug fest with Toney, he will get his beard knocked clean out of the ring.

Kimbo was smart enough to tackle old ass Ray Mercer rather than trade with him and that's supposed to be Kimbo's strength.