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James Toney signs multi fight deal with UFC


WelshDevilRob
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JAMES TONEY SIGNS MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH UFC

 

James (Lights Out) Toney will finally get his wish to compete in the octagon.

 

The 41-year-old, who owns a boxing record of 72-6-3 with two no contests, has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC. An opponent and date for Toney's UFC debut has not been determined, and will be announced at a later date.

 

After pestering UFC president Dana White following UFC 108 for a chance to join the fight league, Toney then expressed his displeasure with the contract offer that eventually was made. It's unclear what changed to bring the deal together, but Toney will make his debut later this year.

 

Current UFC fighters Marcus Davis, Chris Lytle and Alessio Sakara have competed as professional boxers in the past, but with today's announcement, Toney becomes the most accomplished boxing veteran to ever compete in the octagon.

 

"A lot of pro boxers have made a lot of noise about how they would do in mixed martial arts, but nobody on the level of a James Toney has been willing to back up his talk," said White. "He's a legend whose boxing record speaks for itself, and he's a guy who I've got a lot of respect for. Now he's got every intention of matching that success in MMA, and I think he's got the right attitude – let's see if he can do it."

 

Toney was 31-2 as an amateur, before he turned pro in 1988. In 1991, he won his first world title at middleweight by knocking out unbeaten champion Michael Nunn in the 11th round. After six successful defenses, he moved up to 168 pounds and defeated Iran Barkley for the super middleweight championship in 1993.

 

After a stay at light heavyweight, Toney won the cruiserweight world title by defeating Vassiliy Jirov in 2003's Fight of The Year, and his success continued at heavyweight, where he defeated Evander Holyfield, Dominick Guinn, and Fres Oquendo.

 

In his most recent bout, on September 12, 2009, Toney halted Matthew Greer in two rounds.

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Randy Couture vs. James Toney at August’s UFC 118 in Boston?

 

Steven Marrocco,

 

Former UFC champion Randy Couture (18-10 MMA, 15-7 UFC) has been targeted for participation in the UFC's first trip to Boston. And if he gets his wish, the UFC Hall of Famer may get to face former boxing champion James Toney.

 

Fighters Only first reported the possibility of Couture's participation on the card. While no opponent has been finalized, Couture has repeatedly expressed a desire to face the former boxing champion.

 

Although not officially announced, UFC 118 is expected to take place Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston. Two high-profile lightweight fights are currently on tap for the Northeast event: newly minted champion Frankie Edgar fights the man he deposed for the belt, B.J. Penn, in an immediate rematch of their recent UFC 112 bout, and two-time contender Kenny Florian faces standout Gray Maynard.

 

Toney, 41, won a UFC contract in early March after a protracted trash-talk campaign against UFC president Dana White and several mixed martial arts fighters. The former boxing champion sought the guidance of boxing and MMA coach Juanito Ibarra and at several points welcomed a fight with Couture (though he called out virtually every MMA star he could name).

 

Toney is currently training with Ibarra in Southern California as he prepares for his MMA debut.

 

Couture, 46, railroaded fellow UFC Hall of Fame member Mark Coleman in his most recent performance at UFC 109. The win shook off controversy that lingered after his prior appearance, a close decision victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 105 this past November, and put him on track for a shot at the 205-pound title.

 

When Toney signed, however, Couture expressed an immediate interest in welcoming the boxer to MMA.

 

Couture lost his heavyweight title to current champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 91. A subsequent setback against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 prompted a move to the 205-pound class.

 

He remains one of only two men to hold titles in two different weight classes (He won light heavyweight gold three times with wins over Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Vitor Belfort and heavyweight gold against Maurice Smith, Kevin Randleman, Tim Sylvia and Gabriel Gonzaga).

 

A part-time actor in addition to his pugilistic responsibilities, Couture's new movie, "The Expendables," is set to premiere on Aug. 12, a little more than two weeks before UFC 118.

 

UFC 118 is the first major MMA event to arrive in Massachusetts. This past November, the state's governor, Deval Patrick, signed into law a bill that calls for the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission to become the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and oversee MMA events.

 

TD Garden, an indoor venue that is home to the NBA's Boston Celtics and NHL's Boston Bruins, has a maximum capacity of more than 19,000.

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Does this means JT's basically given up on trying to get any boxing titles, coz its going to be difficult to see him boxing while under contract to UFC? Anyone have any details of whats in his deal with White, how many bouts, can he fight non-UFC bouts (like boxing), duration of the contact etc..

 

Last I heard he'd been chasing down everyone from the Klitschko's to B-Hop; does this mean the end of JT in the ring, now only to be seen in the Octogon? I surely hope not, I'd read that he looked faily fit in disposing of Greer, not sure why he couldn't bundle a few more bums out after that and put some momentum behind his challenges..

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Re: James Toney signs multi fight deal with UFC

 

JAMES TONEY SIGNS MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH UFC

 

In his most recent bout, on September 12, 2009, Toney halted Matthew Greer in two rounds.

 

------- Indeed, word is Toney is in hard UFC training trying to slim down to the 205 limit to take on the Randy Couture challenge.

 

Actually might attract a buzz if he can do it. Thing is, much harder training for UFC 205 division than it is dispatching a journeyman like Greer which is the most power Toney has shown in 10 yrs.

 

UFC boys are just looking to take him down and roll him, something Fast Fres did with barely a shoulder shrug.

 

Smart planning by Toney though. UFC contract before the KFC contract to finish out his career.

 

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc70/LondonPrizeRingRules/burke.jpg

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