Top Fight Picks For James Toney's UFC Debut

After Dana White decided to throw some money at James Toney to get his signature on the dotted line, the shiny dome of Mr. White is still undecided on who to match him up with. A conundrum that many fans of both Boxing and MMA have some ideas for. The base of MMA fans who take offense to Toney's homosexual references and trash talk about the sport want to see him matched up with a ground technician for obvious reasons, while Toney fans want him matched up with a striker that will stand with him. Even at his advanced age James is still a dangerous proposition for anyone facing him and thinking of try to box with the pugilist from Detroit. It remains to be seen weather or not a stiff kick to the thigh will have Toney rethinking this whole MMA thing, let alone a swift and violent takedown. I have a feeling that no matter where the fight goes James Toney is in it until the final bell rings. Toney is a fighter at heart and has never been seriously beat up even in defeat in his Boxing career. In the interest of fairness, why not match up Toney with a Kimbo Slice type of fighter who is relatively new to the ground fighting aspect of mixed martial arts as well? Kimbo has already choked out the old man Ray Mercer in his debut and could make a career of fighting Boxers transitioning to MMA past their primes by using his limited submission game. A choke on Toney may not go down the same way as it did with Mercer because News Flash: James Toney has no neck to speak of! The following list are some thoughts on who may be an entertaining match up for Toney with some opponents who will interest fans on both ends of the spectrum.

1. Kimbo Slice - This guy's name getting thrown into the mix for potential opponents hasn't stopped being brought up since James signed with the fight promotion. It is an interesting match up and one that would have people talking. Kimbo has become proficient enough at the ground game to test Toney, while still being green enough to give him a shot on the floor.

2. Randy Couture - This one would be all randy if he decided to grind him out with wrestling, but if he tried to box or even play the clinch game with Toney he may give him enough of an opening to do some damage. Couture has been rocked in most of his fights as of late, and I do believe that Toney could KO the old man if the slightest opportunity presents itself. Couture is ready to do it as he stated on his twitter account he'd love to draw Toney first.

3. Roy Nelson - This one would also be one for the MMA fans who want to see him fail. Nelson has been KOing his last couple of opponents, but one would expect another belly smothering from Roy ala Kimbo on TUF. Nelson and Rogan teased this one on the last UFC fight night card and it could be a possibility. Nelson recently had this to say about fighting the Boxing legend:

“[I want to fight] James Toney just because everybody likes to talk about James Toney,” Nelson said. “I think that would be a good pay-per-view fight.”

4. Chuck Liddell - Chuck has recently commented on James Toney's signing after hearing some of the trash talk from James saying that he would like to see him in the ring with a wrestler and that it would be "hilarious" Chuck named Cain Velasquez as a possible opponent but omitted his name from the mix. Toney would most definitely outbox/KO the former champ, but his wrestling base that allowed him to keep grapplers on their feet could do the exact opposite in the Toney fight. Chuck has never been one for leg kicks but has the wrestling ability to take James to the mat.

5. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson - The UFC could not only work the "Boxing vs. MMA" angle but they could use Rampage's former trainer and James' current trainer Juanito Ibarra as fuel to ignite the rivalry. The press conferences and weigh ins could charge admission for the verbal warfare these two would engage in. Rampage has just signed a new six fight deal with the UFC and the former Champion seems to be back on good terms with Dana and co after a new deal and a shiny new sports car were sent his way.

Toney has stated that he wants to remain at heavyweight for his stint in the UFC, but his build would be better suited for 205. Not to mention the fact that the big boy division is pretty much ruled by high level wrestlers. Any match that the UFC makes for Toney will definitely have hardcore fans on both sides of the combat sports world interested as well as casual fans.