Randy Couture vs. James Toney All But Set For Boston

[dbreiden83080]

"A match-up pitting former two division UFC champion Randy Couture against multi division boxing champion James Toney is set to be announced very soon. According to Couture who was recently on MMA Weekly Radio, he will take on Toney at UFC 118 which is scheduled to take place in Boston sometime this August.

UFC 118 will mark the organizations first foray into Beantown and it seems they are intent on leaving a lasting impression. Along with the Couture-Toney fight fans will be treated to a rematch for the UFC lightweight championship. Frankie Edgar will defend the title he won at UFC 112 against the man he took it from, BJ Penn. Also scheduled for that night is a battle to determine the number one contender in the UFC lightweight division as hometown hero Kenny Florian takes on the undefeated Gray Maynard.

Couture stated that it is his preference for the fight with Toney to be contested at the light heavyweight limit of 205lbs but he is open to fighting as a heavyweight if that suits Toney. Couture has fought guys much bigger than himself with the prime example being current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar who went into their November 2009 bout with at least a 60lb weight advantage.

Couture is an interesting first opponent for Toney as he is one of the games better tacticians and should have no problem taking Toney down at will. It should be interesting to see how Toney fights off his back as he has absolutely no wrestling or grappling experience. He is currently training with former Quinton Jackson trainer Juanito Ibarra."

Randy will win so easy..

[Stringer_Bell]

Well, considering Toney has never been KO'd, it'll probably be another snooze-fest unless it ends by submission. Then Dana has to come in and say "Like I said, boxers have no place in MMA" and cut Toney. Otherwise, if Toney catches Randy and drops him...the LHW ladder loses a possible contender and Jon Jones can slip in and take it.

[dbreiden83080]

If Randy gets caught by Toney MMA is gonna get buried by the media as a joke. Toney has not been a prime boxer in like 7 years.. Randy better dominate this fight and make it look easy..

[Blackjack]

I love my boy Toney but I can't see him being on his toes and capable of stickin' and movin' to pick Couture apart. James basically likes to stay in the pocket and roll with the punches these days -- and for a while now -- so this is inevitably going to end up on the ground and with James looking like Kimbo: unable to advance position or get up to his feet.

If it ain't lights-out -- figuratively and literally -- Toney's got no shot; Couture on points, decision.

[dbreiden83080]

I love my boy Toney but I can't see him being on his toes and capable of stickin' and movin' to pick Couture apart. James basically likes to stay in the pocket and roll with the punches these days -- and for a while now -- so this is inevitably going to end up on the ground and with James looking like Kimbo: unable to advance position or get up to his feet.

If it ain't lights-out -- figuratively and literally -- Toney's got no shot; Couture on points, decision.

If Randy gets it to the ground (If being said with a huge chuckle) :lol

He should end this very quickly. GNP him out or sub him. Yes Randy is not exactly a sub master but this is someone with zero JJ whatsoever. You think Toney has even rolled with serious JJ guys? I really doubt it. Randy will finish Toney very quickly IMO..

[CubanSucks]

There's not a single person in the world Couture can fight now that will interest me. From the moment I read "Randy Couture vs." I was already asleep

[Blackjack]

Well, yeah, if Toney doesn't go Lights-Out on him, Randy's going to take him down. That was the 'if' (and also the most likely outcome).

If Toney is taking this seriously or his pride is still what it's been ever since he's become a boxer, I could definitely see James surviving; I could definitely see Randy catching with a sub, too. But maybe it's just the fan in me ... but Toney's stubbornness, ability to roll with and/or absorb punishment just doesn't have me thinking he's going to get pounded out.

Sub, I could definitely see. But, and I guess it depends on the ref, I just don't see Randy ending the fight from strikes. Maybe I'm still looking fondly on the guy that used to be James Toney.

[polandprzem]

Randy is a master in shortening the distance, so I think he will not go on a battle with Tonney standing up. I bet he will submitt james quicly one they will be on the ground.

[The TroutBum]

There's not a single person in the world Couture can fight now that will interest me. From the moment I read "Randy Couture vs." I was already asleep

I couldn't agree more. I like Randy, but I'd rather watch linoleum curl.

[dbreiden83080]

3n0nPUOW0ik

[tlongII]

Toney will have about 30 seconds to knock Randy out. After that Couture will take him to the ground and submit him.

[dbreiden83080]

Toney will have about 30 seconds to knock Randy out. After that Couture will take him to the ground and submit him.

That's how i see it.. Toney is a very arrogant guy and is 41 years old just starting in MMA. I'm sure he has worked on a sprawl and some basic TDD but that's about it. None of that will matter with Randy, whatever type of takedown he wants, he'll get with complete ease. Toney is not rolling with ace JJ guys in training, i don't see it. Randy has never had great subs but might armbar Toney, just to prove a point. Or get the takedown and work for a RNC. Either way this is not getting out of round 1.


Randy will win this fight insanely easy...

[dallaskd]

Randy ends this in no more than 2 minutes. and i would be suprised if it got that far

[dallaskd]

LOL at anyone who thinks this goes to decision. Randy by sub or gnp early. Probably a submission. Randys JJ is under rated and toney does not have one. Randy by anaconda choke

[desflood]

Randy will most likely win by sub or GNP easily, but it doesn't matter much. This is a fight between two men who, while still dangerous in their respective ways, are long past their prime. If Toney knocks Couture out it doesn't matter(I don't agree that Randy is a contender for the title any longer) and if Couture subs him... that doesn't matter either. This is a fight I would have expected in Pride; it's more of a freak show than anything.

[polandprzem]

Randy still gives good fights IMO
If he still is competitive somwhere in the middle of the lhw division I'm fine with that. I like his mma pesona and I think he is valuable for this sport.
I wonder what Toney have to offer? As a boxer he does not stand a chance against one of the best wrestlers in the division.

[Xevious]

Is this what Couture has been reduced to, gimmick fights? Mark fucking Coleman and now James Toney? His last real competition was Brandon Vera, and that was a three round snoozefest of Couture holding Vera against the cage with neither man doing anything.

I love Couture and respect what he's done for the sport, but he doesn't have much entertainment value for me anymore.

[scottspurs]

I hope Toney wears boxing gloves and knocks him out.