ARREST JAMES TONEY FOR IMPERSONATING JAMES TONEY
San Francisco, CA– As if it wasn’t obvious by the results, James Toney did little (some are say none) MMA training prior to the Randy Couture debacle a fortnight ago. Weighing 237 lbs, Toney had been boxing in the 220’s and looking fat. Unlike other crossover athletes, Dave Bautista or Hershell Walker, James didn’t go to an MMA facility to train. Having known Toney since the 1980s, he has run the gamut.
SOUNDS LIKE HE HAS MOUTH FULL OF MUSH
No longer viable as a heavyweight contender, caught using steroids in a WBA heavyweight title bid (that he won) against John Ruiz, but wait I’m not done. In 2010, he sounds like some Gangsta’ kid with a bad speech impediment trying to imitate James Toney. On top of that, James was humiliated in less than 20 seconds, as that’s how long it was before James was on his back from a Couture takedown.
BOSTON CROWD AND SOME NUMBERS
The T.D. Garden sold out all 15,575 seats (13,500 paid) and did a $3 million gate. PPV estimates are not in yet. Seeing Beantown is UFC Prez Dana White’s hometown, this musta’ been special. Speaking of White, he has admitted to dropping $500,000 on more than one occasion playing Blackjack in Las Vegas. His worth is said to be around $100 million. Opening hand minimum bet for White is $25 grand!
UFC GOING ON NEW YEARS NIGHT, NOT EVE!
Folks at the MGM Grand in Vegas are saying that the UFC 125 card set for December 31st, or so we thought, will now take place on New Years night January 1, 2011. A likely main event would be Chael “NO BS” Sonnan getting a rematch with UFC middleweight (185) champ Anderson Silva, this after Chael came within a whisker of defeating the highly touted champion last month in Oakland, CA.
DANA WHITE BRINGING UFC TO CHINA
The UFC has made Mark Fischer their Executive Vice President of UFC Asian Operations. The city for the office has yet to be named, but Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter said that Fischer speaks Mandarin, and was the guy behind the NBA’s move in to China. NBA China is said to be worth about $2 billion.
BELLATOR IN PHILLY FOR OCTOBER SHOW
The usually always exciting Bellator Fighting Championships will go October 21 (on Fox Sports) from Philadelphia, PA’s Liacouras Center with Fox Sports Net airing. Lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez in a non-title go vs. Roger Huerta. On top, welter king Lyman Good (10 & zip) defends against last season’s tourney winner Ben Askew (6-0). Check your local listings as this is the equivalent of Boxing After Dark circa 1996 as far as the matchmaking concept is concerned.
NOT ALL MMA COMPANIES SWIMMING PROFITS
The craze that has made the Ultimate Fighting Championships a billion dollar piece of property doesn’t transcend to the other MMA brands or outlets. Like Pro Wrestling, Vince McMahon’s WWE group is doing well, others, some with a better product are not. UFC sells, WEC, Strikeforce, the exciting Bellator fights, not so much!
Pedro Fernandez