TONEY-COUTURE HAS BEANTOWN TALKING
Las Vegas, NV- One match in particular at UFC 118 has piqued a lot of interest in both MMA and boxing alike as three division world boxing champion (160, 168 & 190 lbs) James “Lights Out” Toney (72-6-3, 44 KOs in boxing) steps into the world of mixed martial arts at 237 lbs tonight In Boston, MA against six time UFC champion (under 205 lbs, light heavyweight & over 205, heavyweight) Randy “The Natural” Couture (18-10, 7 KOs, 3 SUBs). For the most part, boxers have not fared too well in MMA as they typically lack several dimensions such as wrestling, grappling, submissions, and expanded striking (kicks, elbows, and knees) needed to succeed inside the cage.
THE FIGHT IS COUTURE’S TO LOSE!
Couture, an even 220 and 47 years young, will look to spoil Toney’s MMA debut most likely by closing the distance and pinning the 42-year old Toney against the cage while working his dirty boxing. Furthermore, after softening up the pugilist, Couture will probably look to move it to the mat and score takedowns from the clinch.
TALKED LOTS OF S*IT OVER THE YEARS
Toney has long been a big trash talker in boxing, and that style and bravado has moved over into his MMA career as he has consistently verbally assaulted Couture. Toney, who captured his first boxing belt, the middleweight (160) diadem in 1991, is said to have been training strictly MMA for the past nine months, but I don’t think that 270 days will hold up against Couture’s lifetime of wrestling at an elite level.
LOOKING TO DO A MERCER OR JUST GET PAID?
However, all MMA fights start on the feet and Toney has an elusive and slippery stance which could cause problems for Couture. Also, let us not forget what 1988 Olympic Gold medalist and ex-WBO heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer did to former two time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Silvia (26-6, 18 KOs, 3 SUBs) last year-he knocked him out with one punch in nine seconds.
NOT SO TOUGH A FIGHT TO PREDICT OUTCOME
If Toney can keep his distance, stay on his feet and check Randy’s chin with shots that have led to 42 stops in the boxing ring, the Ann Arbor, MI native could pull off a huge upset in his MMA debut. But his weight being at 237 lbs, even if he’s juicing, something Toney was caught doing in boxing, that will work against him as long as the fight lasts. There’s a chance Toney catch Couture and put him to sleep, but the most likely outcome will be a dominate Couture victory by stoppage or unanimous.
B.J. PENN SEEKS REDEMPTION IN REMATCH
It has only been four short months since B. J. Penn (15-6-1, 6 KOs, 6 SUBs) lost his lightweight (155 lbs) title via shocking upset to Frankie Edgar (12-1, 2 KOs, 3 SUBs). For Penn, those four months have probably felt like a lifetime. Before the loss, Penn was widely considered one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, and hadn’t lost a bout (or a round for that matter) at lightweight since his first meeting with Jens Pulver (22-14-1, 13 KOs, 3 SUBs) back in January 2002. Penn had allegedly been ill before his fight this past April with Edgar, which may have accounted for his slightly passive behavior inside the cage that night in the desert oasis of Abu Dhabi.
FRANKIE DID NOT COME TO LOSE
However, all credit should be given to Edgar who used movement, speed and angles to chip away at the champion and gain himself the UFC lightweight title. Furthermore, Edgar was able to successfully score a couple of takedowns on Penn-something virtually nobody (outside of Georges St. Pierre) has ever been able to do. Come Saturday night, we will all find out if Edgar can prove his win was no fluke, or if B.J. Penn can regain his coveted lightweight title. I expect to see a competitive matchup between these two warriors, but also expect Penn to press the issue more and utilize his naturally larger frame to push Edgar around the cage in route to a unanimous decision victory.
KENNY FLORIAN TOPS UNDERCARD
The card also includes other explosive fights including Kenny Florian (13-4, 3 KOs, 9 SUBs) taking on the undefeated Gray Maynard (9-0, 1 KO), Demian Maia (12-2, 2 KOs 8, SUBs) battling Mario Miranda (10-1, 5 KOs, 3 SUBs), and Nate Diaz (12-5, 3 KOs, 8 SUBs) squaring off against Marcus Davis (17-6, 6 KOs, 8 SUBs). Be sure to check out all the action tonight from Boston. Catch the prelims on SpikeTV and the rest of the action on pay-per-view.
Matt “All Meat” Grizzle