http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/06/...-tapped-to-work-with-james-toney-on-jiu-jits/ Toney is working with all the right people. I'm sure he'll be capable of tapping me at the end of his training camp. I just don't know how much he can learn in only 3 months.
In 3 months, if he trained exclusively in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Lister (or any reputable instructor) would be a mid-level white belt, at best. At best. He could get Jacare, Roger Gracie and Maia to train him, he's still the equivalent of a middle school basketball player going one-on-one against a bench player in the NBA. It really is that significant.
Agreed theres alot you can learn in 3 months but nobody can develop into even a Bluebelt level Jiujitsu guy in that time its just to short especially for a guy with no previous grappling background. Jiujitsu is far to complex and everything hes learning Randy has already seen, drilled a million times and has been through it all. Randy at this point is probably close to a Blackbelt level not to mention hes a world class wrestler with killer GNP. If it goes to the ground well Toney aint getting up because lets face it he cant bring Dean Lister in the octagon with him.
I think this fight is over for Toney as soon as it gets to a clinch. Toney's primary focus should be learning to avoid the clinch. Toney will begin losing weight from all the new training. He will need to shed as many pounds as possible. Toney will not be able to stand as flatfooted as he does in the ring. He will have to stay on his toes, and look to land something as quick as possible. Toney is going to have to get within punching range to do any damage against a taller fighter while avoiding the clinch entirely. Not exactly an easy task. Toney will also need to learn what to do if he drop Couture. If he happens to drop Couture without stopping him, he runs the chance of Couture recovering and finishing him on the ground. Someone like Paul Buentello would have made a lot more sense for Toney's first fight.
The nuances in BJJ are crazy. In 3 months if he can get the jist of each sub and how to defend them then thats good. Just understanding what BJJ is, how it works, what the fighters intentions are etc is awesome. Obviously not directly comparable but Chuck and Rashad don't use BJJ apart from to defend against it. That alone would help Toney.
I don't think a leglock specialist who spends a lot of time on his back and relies on absolutely textbook perfect technique is the ideal choice for a guy with no experience at all. I mean I'm sure Lister can teach every aspect of grappling damn well, he is an encyclopedia, but a specialist in getting right the **** back up is who Toney should be looking for.
