Randy Couture vs James Toney – MMA & Boxing Collide

Randy Couture will face James Toney at UFC 118 in Boston, MA

Upon losing his heavyweight title to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 in November of 2008, Randy Couture’s career seemed to be in limbo. He was 46 years old and the heavyweight division had shifted since his glory days into a class ruled by larger men, which he was not.

When Couture met Antonio ‘Rodrigo’ Nogueira in the main event of UFC 102, the 46 year old showed he still had a lot left in the gas tank. While ‘The Natural’ lost in a unanimous decision, his performance silenced plenty of critics. The two former champions stood toe to toe and looked like young lightweights trading strikes. Antonio rocked Randy early and sunk in an anaconda choke. Incredibly, the veteran was able to last through it and work his way back to the feet. In the end Nogueira’s size proved to be too much for Couture, as he was able to reverse ‘The Natural’ on the ground and use his reach advantage in the standup to defeat Couture. But what a lot of people took from the fight was Couture still had the skill and tenacity to continue his career, just not the size to compete as a heavyweight.

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Couture who made a name for himself dominating bigger men, decided it was his time to go back to fighting guys his own size. He returned to the light heavyweight division where he was a former two time UFC champion. He took on another former heavyweight in Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera in the main event of UFC 105. It was a closely contested fight with Randy taking Brandon against the fence and trying to impose his will. Vera however, rocked Couture with a knee to the body that sent the former 5 time champion to the mat. ‘The Natural’ was able to weather the storm and eek out a very close unanimous decision that many feel could have gone either way. It was not a vintage Couture win, but he was back in the win column nonetheless.

Following his win over Brandon Vera, Randy met fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark ‘The Hammer’ Coleman in the main event of UFC 109 in early 2010. While Coleman was only a shell of his former self, he was coming off an upset victory over Stephan Bonnar. ‘The Natural’ showed off his boxing throughout the brief fight, picking ‘The Hammer’ apart throughout the entire first round and then rocking him in the second, which allowed him to sink in the rear-naked choke and finish Coleman at 1:09 in the second round. It was the first time he had finished somebody since August of 2007. While many critics felt Mark Coleman was too easy a challenge for Couture, it was hard to argue the performance was nothing other than spectacular, especially for a 46 year old man.

When the UFC signed former Boxing heavyweight champion James Toney, Couture was the man asking for the fight. Subsequently James and Randy agreed to fight each other in the co-main event at UFC 118 in August. It will be the latest episode in the Boxing vs. MMA saga, but the first time two big names in each sport will clash, and the first time it will be on the biggest stage the sport can offer.

‘Lights Out’ is a man who needs little introduction to anybody whose followed boxing in recent years. Toney boasts a 72-6 record with 44 knockouts and hasn’t been knocked out once in his professional career. He is defined by his infinite power and iron jaw, along with plenty of technical skills to back that up. Although he is 41 years old, he will be the younger fighter by about 5 years in his MMA debut. While his Boxing reputation proceeds him, stepping into the cage at UFC 118 is going to be a big challenge for the Boxer. Toney no doubt has limited time to work on his wrestling and ground game, an art in which Couture has practiced for close to two decades. It is no secret that Randy will be looking to take James down quickly and avoid the seasoned hands of the veteran Boxer, while Toney will try to avoid being taken down at all costs where he would most likely be schooled by the experienced grappler.

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Many wonder why Toney would take such a big risk and step into the cage against an experienced mixed martial artist, especially when there’s still plenty of money for him to make in Boxing still, as he remains the IBA heavyweight champion, it is known James never lacks confidence in taking on challenges. While many call ‘Lights Out’ delusional for taking on a great wrestler in a completely new sport, it is hard not to applaud the Boxer for being one of the first Boxers to back up his talk and meet a Mixed Martial Artist in the cage. While there is presently a lot of talk between Boxers and Martial Artists as to how each would fare in both respective sports, Toney is actually stepping up to the plate, and with a man with the power he possesses, anything can happen in the cage.

And what does ‘The Natural’ have to gain in this fight? Randy has always been a man who enjoys unique challenges, and a Boxing heavyweight champion is one indeed. Also James Toney is not a small name at all, and this fight is bound to cause some public interest with Boxing and MMA fans alike. Beating a name like Toney will only add to the legacy of Couture. If Toney can pull off the upset, it will be a bigger win for James than a loss for Randy. While there will be an initial embarrassment to losing an MMA fight to a boxer, being 47 year old may perhaps give him some leeway and leave his legacy untouched. Whatever happens in the co-main event of UFC 118, expect people will be talking about it for some time after.

By Ryan Silva
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer