UFC signs boxing champion James Toney
41-year-old boxing champion James "Lights Out" Toney (72-6-3, 44 KO’s) has finally gotten his wish granted by UFC president Dana White. It's being reported by www.fiveouncesofpain.com that he has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.
Toney is the most decorated boxer to crossover to mixed martial arts. Boxer Ray Mercer was the biggest name to fight in the cage, when he lost to Kimbo Slice.
Dana White had ruled out a fight between boxer Roy Jones and Anderson Silva, saying it would "hurt MMA." But I guess he thinks he can make some money on James Toney's ability. It's going to be interesting to see who the UFC matches him up against. A lot of people are talking about Kimbo Slice or Roy "Big Country" Nelson, but I would like to see him fight Wesley "Cabbage" Correira. Cabbage is the type of fighter that would stand toe-to-toe with Toney, which would make for an exciting fight.
Do you think James Toney was a good pickup for the UFC and whom would you have him fight?
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Comments
kinda ridiculous for the UFC, but a smart business move on Dana's part. may bring in crossover boxing fans to see what this MMA hype is about. if anyone decides to stand with Toney, they will get destroyed as Toney was a world-class boxer at one point. however, at 41 years of age and with no MMA background, he will get DESTROYED if anyone decides to take him to the ground. BJ Penn would kill him in the cage if they ever decided to fight (weight difference or not...and BJ fought Machida at heavyweight before). even if BJ was 155 and Toney was 230, it'd be "Lights Out" for Toney once he was taken to the ground...
we'll see if he knows how to check a leg kick...
Posted by: Z | March 3, 2010 8:40 PM
Why Not! People are bothered that a boxer is going to fight? Look at his record (72-6-3, 44 KO’s). Just watch the fight or change the channel, dont complain because it wont solve anything he is going to fight. I personally want to see him fight someone his age, perhaps Randy Couture? Maybe Andrei Arlovski? Tim Sylvia!!
Posted by: Futén Purviec | March 3, 2010 8:49 PM
Randy Couture(NCAA All-American, Olympic Alternate in GRW) would be among the worst people to put Toney in against. Stylistically he's the type of fighter the UFC should avoid matching him up with...initially. Couture's clinh and dirty boxing would neutralize Toney on the feet. Tiring him out and setting up for an easy takedown, he did that to Mark Coleman and many others.
I mention Coleman because although past his prime, was an NCAA wrestling champion and competed in the '92 olympics. If Couture could takedown an accomplished wrestler like Coleman down...Toney would be easy pickings. What's Toney going to do when he's on his back? Either rolls into an easy submission or gets saved by the ref when Couture is delivering some nasty GnP. Shame Houston Alexander isn't the UFC anymore...he's one guy who could make JT look like amazing again
Posted by: Back From Iraq | March 5, 2010 5:29 PM