For all of you that think Couture will win easily. Cool. Same for vice versa, but what I was wondering is...in the event that Toney does actually land a punch, and Randy goes down but not out...do you think Toney will actually chase Randy and look to finish it...or do you think he will be casual...instinctively? Could be the difference between winning and losing.
Not that I think it has much chance of happening, but I'd expect Toney to fly in for the kill with more headshots, even if it means going down onto the mat to do so. Although Toney is outwardly as cool as a cucumber about this whole MMA thing, inwardly he'll know his only chance is a small chance, and that small chance is a KO, so he will go for any opportunity there is. Toney the MMA fighter will not have the same mindset as Toney the boxer. Toney the boxer knows that his skills can be used within the parameters of the sport to protect him, but Toney the MMA fighter will realize that the parameters of his new sport are very different and that stealing rounds using boxing tricks is a silly option because every second that ticks by is another second he could be taken down or submitted.
I disagree but I respect your opinion. I think Toney goes into the fight 100% convinced he's going to knock someone out...and I'm not convinced he'll be chasing after Randy... Did you just see that fight Popkins? That **** was insane...those follow up punches? Are you kidding me, Herb Dean?
I think you are allowing Toney's "press face" and fight-selling public persona to mislead you. Toney may very well grin for the cameras and talk trash about anyone and everyone, but by all accounts he is training with MMA professionals like King Mo, so he will know exactly how difficult it is to grapple with a wrestler or compete on the mat with a BJJ practitioner, and although many people think he is, Toney is not stupid. He will always talk a good game, that's just his way, but inside he will understand the magnitude of this task, and if he is serious about winning he will try to end the fight as soon as possible because his training will have opened his eyes to how MMA works. Bear in mind that Toney is not in the UFC for the sole reason that he truly believes his game is perfectly suited to conquering the MMA world. He is in the UFC because he knows he cannot make money fighting the likes of Matthew Greer and Fres Oquendo in boxing. The Klitschkos and Haye don't want anything to do with an overweight 42 year old who knows every trick in the book, James hadn't fought for a world title since 2006 and he knew another shot wasn't on the horizon, and I don't believe James has made anywhere near the cash his talents deserve, but he knows his status as a boxing champion and his big mouth/personality will command big money for an MMA crossover, so here he is. Toney is taking a risk for the cash, and he knows it, despite what he says and how he acts when the cameras are on him. He is selling the fight as best he can.
One can only hope Toney fights this smart. I honestly think that he will as he does in the ring :good
Months of MMA training is there to assist him in the event he has no choice but to go to the ground...he will be wanting to stand at all times here.
I don't mean roll around on the mat with him, the question was will he go for a finish if Couture falls from a punch, and I don't think Toney will just stand and let Couture recover then get back up again, I think he will try to force home any advantage he gets, so if Couture is sprawling and looks helpless, I think Toney will go where he needs to in order to land a final blow. Don't forget, James is 42 and will know his stamina is not too hot these days, I think he'd rather get the fight over ASAP, and a KO would cause a bigger splash than a points win, obviously.
Unless Couture is swimming around the canvas waiting to be put out of his misery, which is what your question is about, no?
Toney hits him with a punch, Couture falls back on his ass...still got his senses but clearly hurt...what does Toney do? Will he immediately think to chase after Randy, get to ground and start pounding him with punches or does he act casual kind of saying, "This guy ain't ****". He'd be used to acting casual after knockdowns before, and I'm just wondering if he'll be like that out of instinct. I don't think he'll be rushing after Couture. He'll let him up, and then look to knock him down again...I believe.
If Couture looks like another cuff would have him out, I expect Toney to finish it. If Couture looks like he has his wits about him or looks like he is not in a hurry to avoid Toney coming down to meet him, I would expect Toney to let him up. I expect Toney to do what his MMA trainers have instructed him to do in whatever situation arises. Toney is not stupid. He knows he should avoid the ground, and he also knows he should try for a KO.
If Randy Couture has at least one active brain cell functioning that night, it won't be Toney's choice to stand or not to stand though. The buzzer won't even have finished sounding before James is on his back. I know what you mean about James being our representative, but at least he has the balls to play them at their own game. I can't see a Couture or a Liddell ever wanting to fight B-Hop at the MGM Grand, can you?
