Two more reasons why this is a pathetically idiotic fight to make (though there is virtually zero chance of the second statement coming true, because Randy will have him on his back before a punch is thrown).
Can blame him. It's a very short-sighted decision. If Toney was allowed to start his MMA career against a suitable opponent and proved successful, then in time he could legitimately face someone like Couture in a bigger money fight than it is now, and that's after all the attention that his build-up fights had got. Alternatively, if he starts Toney small and Toney fails, White avoids the horrible scenario of Toney being humiliated by Couture, and himself and his organization coming under heavy fire for arranging a freakshow mismatch. At least then he could say he did right by Toney, and it was Toney who ****ed up the opportunity. This is a lose-lose-LOSE situation for White and the UFC. I'm still in shock such an insane decision has been made.
If Toney fights a much lesser MMA fighter and loses... how does that benefit the UFC at all? It isn't as if Toney is in his 20's (or even 30's for that matter), and has time to mold himself into an MMA fighter. Toney is what he is... and we will find out how he stacks up against a true MMA fighter. It's isn't as if Couture himself is in his prime. He's older than Toney and has clearly slid downhill himself. As lethargic as Couture has been on his feet, I wouldn't be amazed if Toney was actually able to land something huge against him and follow it up. Especially considering that Randy moves in for the clinch more than he tries to actually shoot for takedowns. Now, this is the perfect scenario for the UFC. Couture beats Toney... so what... they just made a ton of money off that PPV. Not only that, it isn't like Toney will be looked down upon for losing to Randy Couture. If Toney beats Couture... can you imagine the next PPV with Toney?
I wouldn't pay to watch to washed up old men in an octagon. Hell I probably wont even go to the sports bar to see it.
nobody knows the future, I would have preferred Tony to fight less of a grappler to start with. my gut is telling me Tony is definitely in with a chance. I bet you a pound to a penny that chuck liddel did not want to fight Toney. and that's the fight we really want to see.
if toney was just slightly past his prime and kept in great shape then that's one thing. but the reality is he won't learn any new skills and won't get in shape physically so it's gonna be embarrassing no matter what happens. I like both guys and whoever loses it's a bad deal.
The worst thing that could happen with Toney entering the octagon is to match him up with some "no name" MMA guy, and that no-name takes him down and rips his arm off and beats him with it. If that happened, there would be no real chance of seeing Toney fight a big fight, and make big money. Noone would buy a PPV to see him fight a no-namer, and certainly wouldn't pay to see his second fight after having gotten his arm ripped off. Toney wants Lesnar, so he'll have to settle on the old-man Couture. Gives fans a fun PPV to watch, UFC makes some money and publicity, and Toney's big mouth will get shut by a 78 year old man. I'll buy the PPV, even though it's only going to last about 22 seconds. It'll last less time than when untrained Kimbo took Mercer down and crushed him quickly. Couture is going to **** Toney, and everyone will win..
Jon Jones is cut from the same dynamic athletic cloth that GSP, Silva, Aldo etc are cut from. Jones would Judo throw Toney across the ring inside 30 seconds.
Are you an MMA fan, or just a boxing fan? I would guess you are purely the latter, because you seem to believe that there is an actual chance of Toney winning. There is not even a microscopic chance. Couture has a world of experience and skill in this sport, there is no way in this world he is going to stand up with Toney, and no way in this world Toney is going to be able to stop it being taken to the mat. This fight is going put serious, serious dents in two things - the reputation of the UFC and MMA as a whole, and a proud boxer's cranium. It's the most insane decision I've EVER witnessed, and is going to be an unmitigated disaster for everyone concerned.
Obviously you don't know me well on here. I am a huge MMA fan, as well as a huge boxing fan. My major backround is in wrestling. I have already stated in previous posts that Couture should smash him. However, it is not totally inconceivable that Couture... being as old and lethargic as he has been lately.... gets a little too comfortable on his feet... and gets caught. As smart as Randy is, and as great of a gameplan he usually comes in with. There is usually a point in EVERY fight of his, where he tests the waters on his feet. Not only that, but the way that he pins people against the cage, and works his dirty boxing, grinding them out. That could end up being a horrible spot for him. Toney is very adept at landing brutal uppercuts and hooks when his opponents are draped all over him. Of course not in the same fashion that Randy would be on him, but again.. in that position, Randy quickly separates, strikes, and then gains position again. There are openings in those moments. That being said, if Couture decides to just shoot takedowns, and ground and pound or submit him... he would completely maul Toney. That's my point though. I think that just about every fighter in the UFC would maul Toney. So, giving him a lesser, no name opponent is asking for disaster. The UFC gains NOTHING by putting Toney in against a no name fighter and having him lose like that. They can't even cash in on him. So either way... this is the best decision.
That's pretty much how I see it. I love the idea of this fight. It's a HOF MMA fighter vs a future HOF boxer. It's a crossroads fight and a classic styles match up.
How is Toney's MMA experience going to look when he gets demolished by a no-name fighter? ANY mma guy will kill Toney, unless he is stupid enough to stand and strike with him. Any MMA fighter with half a brain will simply take him down and destroy him. :!: When that happens, what is the chance for Toney to EVER get a big fight, against a "name" opponent? Best to just put him in with a big name opponent, who is older and has fading skills, and maybe- just maybe- he can land a lucky shot. Nope - it won't happen, as Couture will **** him quickly, but at least it'll be a big event and a fun fight to see. Noone is going to buy a PPV if Toney fights some Joe-Blow no-namer, and he'll lose in that fight anyway - so give him his wish (and MMA fan's wishes) and get him a big fight. Hell, he wants Lesnar, of all people... he'll just have to settle on Randy..
How exactly does UFC fighter destroying a world class boxer in the cage destroy the reputation of the UFC? If anything I think it enhances the reputation.