UFC 118 Weigh Ins To Air One Spike: Prepare For The James Toney Show!

The UFC recently announced via their Twitter account that the weigh ins for Edgar Vs. Penn will air on their home network Spike TV. The last event weigh ins to air on the network was for Lesnar Vs. Carwin and apparently hopes are high for PPV buys for this show as well. The company's hopes are not without warrant as there is a lot of hype behind the Toney Vs. Couture fight has drawn massive media coverage and fan interest on both sides of the combat sports isle.

James Toney has always been one to watch at press conferences and weigh ins, as he is constantly drawing the ire of his opponents and entertaining the crowd. This is the same guy who wore a giant sombrero to a press conference for his fight against Jon Ruiz, a Puerto Rican fighter, just to get under his skin.

There is no doubt that Randy Couture has more self control and patience than previous opponents and has thus far been immune to the pre-fight trash talk that Toney brings to the table. It will be interesting to see if that remains true as these two are in the same room more and more in the coming weeks. Regarless of the outcome of what many are calling a pointless match up between Boxing and MMA, James Toney is sure to entertain the fans while it lasts and lookout if he actually pulls off the win somehow.

UFC Officially Announces 118: Penn vs. Edgar, Couture vs. Toney

The UFC has officially announced their first trip to Boston, MA for UFC 118 August 28th. The main event is the rematch of the closely contested fight between Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn. The co-main event is to be the first appearance of James "Lights Out" Toney into the UFC fold as he faces off with Randy Couture. The full press release from the UFC after the jump.

JAMES TONEY AND THE UFC: A PUNCHER'S CHANCE

First off I need to state that I'm totally against James Toney Stepping into the octagon. The whole reason that it took me so long to write about the subject is that the thought of James Toney in the UFC makes me sick to my stomach. I don't write about mma because I'm not a fan of the sport. I don't hate it or think it should be banned. People can like any sport they want including mma, remember this is America. Many people never talk about religion or politics because the subjects are so explosive. I wont engage in the whole boxing vs. mma argument for the same reasons. I'm not hating on James he can make his money anyway he likes. I'm his biggest fan, I have never wrote about him in a negative light. Growing up in Detroit I have seen him box in person many times, and have followed his career from the beginning. As we know boxing and mma are 2 totally different worlds. The only thing James will accomplish with his UFC contract will further the divide between mma and boxing. All the hardcore boxing people will say there sport is better, and the same will be said for mma. Mma fighters can't just get their boxing licenses and just step in there with top competition, they would get crushed. The only thing James has going for him is a puncher's chance. If anyone stands with him they will get knocked out. No one in mma history has even a tenth of the boxing skill the James once had. Having said that if the fight goes to the ground it will be the other way around. Boxers and other sports figures have failed when they have tried other sports. Remember how silly M.J. looked when he tried his hand at baseball. They have faced and failed many times against fighters from other disciplines. Many ex-champions have tried there hand at pro wrestling after they ran out of money, including Primo Carnera, and even the great Joe Louis. Don't get me wrong I'm not comparing mma to pro wrestling, no actually I am. I'm just pointing out that when the money is gone and they can't get any more fights they do things that can be degrading, embarrassing, ridiculous, and have no business doing. There have been many rumors concerning James Toney and who he may fight in his UFC debut. It looks like Randy Couture could be the man to step in the octagon with James in UFC 118. I think this fight is purposeless and it wont help either fighters legacy, it will only hurt it. So what is James gets a KO against Randy it will be meaningless because he is a boxer and that is what he is supposed to do. If James wins you will have the boxing guys say I told you we are better then mma. The same goes for Randy if he grounds and pounds James it wont mean anything either because he is a Greco-Roman Wrestler. The same will be said for the mma community, they will be claiming dominance over boxing. Randy is a legend in the mma world and has done many things to further the sport as a whole, so why would he want to be involved in a freak show like this. James Toney is a sure-fire International Boxing Hall of Famer. So why would he make a move to mma? Either he needs money or he can't give up the fact he is old and passed his prime, and can't give up the spot light. Fighters think they are invincible and that is what gets them into trouble. It is hard for people to leave behind the sports they love, it is much harder for fighters. Sports stars from other sports can hang on and hide their loss of skill behind their team members. You can't do this in boxing, or fighting in general. This whole signing of James Toney to the UFC is simply about money and PPV buys. It doesn't matter if people are talking positively, or negatively about this situation, The important thing is they are talking period. Publicity in any form is good, because publicity is money. It is so funny to me that Dana White tries to distance himself from the mistakes that boxing has made in the past. He is using the same underhanded tricks that crooked boxing promoters have used in the past. Trying to control fighters with their contracts, and capitalizing on it for his own good while the fighters suffer. What I'm trying to say is that it is all b.s., it is all about you can get the biggest pile of money. Maybe Freddie Roach was right when he said that the people at UFC were just using James as a pawn to argue mma is better than boxing. I'm sure James will barley train for his UFC fight. He is one of the most stubborn fighters in recent history. He is well known for his lack of training, so why would it be different in the UFC. Since he has signed with the UFC Jonathan Banks has called him out. This whole thing is just a publicity stunt to get James name back in the headlines so he can get another big fight. The only thing is it could do more damage then good.

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. 

UFC 109 Results: Sonnen Pulls the Upset, Coleman Looks Old!

(The battle of the old men wasn't much of a contest at all) 

Chael Sonnen has a lot of people eating their words after this weekend's Super-Saturday card. I predicted, as many others did, that Nate Marquardt would annihilate Sonnen with ease but I was wrong. Chael came out determined to top the fight and stayed true to his words that once he put his mouthpiece in he would find a way to win. It was a classic Team Quest-esque  grind out wrestling victory where he controlled from top position and banged on Nate for three rounds despite a nasty cut that opened up on his forehead from a Marquardt elbow. If Dana White stays true to his word, Sonnen should be next up in line for a shot at Middleweight gold and that will open the flood gates for some serious Sonnen trash talk in the lead up to the fight.
In other 109 news, Randy Couture had no problem reaching the target on Mark Coleman as Mark chose to block punches with his head as he so often does. Couture was in a league above Coleman who looked old and out of place in the main event of the evening. Randy landed at will and took Coleman down, and choked him out to get the win over the fellow HOF inductee. At the post-fight presser Dana White stated that it was likely the last time we would see "The Hammer" in the Octagon. The always class-less Tito Ortiz found a way to get his name on the microphone as he taunted the fallen Coleman as he was talking to Rogan. Coleman responeded with "F#%K You Tito" and "Anytime Douch-Bag" well said Champ, well said.

RESULTS
Randy Couture def. Mark Coleman via technical submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 1:09
Chael Sonnen def. Nate Marquardt via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Paulo Thiago def. Mike Swick via technical submission (D'arce choke) - Round 2, 1:54
Demian Maia def. Dan Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt Serra def. Frank Trigg via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 2:23

PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS
Mac Danzig def. Justin Buchholz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Melvin Guillard def. Ronys Torres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Robert Emerson def. Phillipe Nover via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Phil Davis def. Brian Stann via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Chris Tuchscherer def. Tim Hague via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Joey Beltran def. Rolles Gracie via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 1:31

Couture Wins Lackluster Decision in Manchester

Randy Couture probably didn't gain any new fans with his first live performance on free television. Couture clinched incessantly against the cage with Brandon Vera working for a take down unsuccessfully. The real story coming out of Saturday's card is that of GSP's next title defense against the ever-improving Dan Hardy. Hardy dominated Swick for three rounds in their welterweight contest and wobbled him on several occasions. There is a rumor that Dan Hardy will coach the 11th season of TUF against the welterweight king Georges St Pierre. Hardy will undoubtedly be a huge underdog in the contest, but he hits harder than Matt Serra and we saw what Serra was able to do with an opening to Georges jaw. Michael Bisping rebounded with a vengeance against the always tough Dennis Kang winning via TKO. Bisping was caught early and got into a bit of a precarious position before coming into his own in the second round and finishing Kang with ground and pound.

Complete results:
Randy Couture def. Brandon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dan Hardy def. Mike Swick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Michael Bisping def. Denis Kang via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 4:24
Matt Brown def. James Wilks via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 2:27
Ross Pearson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 2, 4:38
John Hathaway def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Terry Etim def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 1:24
Nick Osipczak def. Matthew Riddle via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 3:53
Dennis Siver def. Paul Kelly via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 2:53
Alexander Gustafsson def. Jared Hamman via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 0:41
Andre Winner def. Rolando Delgado via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 3:22

Fight Picks UFC 105

(Couture by an ear)

MAIN CARD

Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera
Couture makes his return to the Light Heavyweight division against another former heavyweight in Brandon "The Truth" Vera.  You can't count randy out of any fight, but i am going with Vera to win a decision in the card's main event.  Vera has looked tentative since his drop to 205lbs and I do not see him finishing the resiliant Couture, but I do see him doing enough to win the decision. 
Dan Hardy vs. Mike Swick
Hardy presented Swick with a runner up trophy at the UFC 105 pre-fight press conference, and that is how I think this one goes down with Swick coming in second place. The UK standout has improved upon his game every time out; expect this outing to be no different! Dan Hardy via late stoppage.
Michael Bisping vs. Denis Kang
we will have to see how Bisping rebounds from the vicious knockout loss he endured at UFC 100.  Dennis Kang has more tools to win this fight but Kang seems to find a way to lose in these types of scenarios. Kang will rule the roost until his mentals wither under the thought of winning a main event and gets stopped via TKO.
Matt Brown vs. James Wilks
These fighter are both very talented and much more talented than their records show.  Brown who was basically learning on the job during the first part of his career has stepped his game up since being on TUF and has had some great wins in the UFC. Wilks is a bit of an untested commodity, but if he performs at the level that he did in the TUF finals we should have a good scrap on our hands. I'll give this one to "The Immortal" Matt Brown via KO.
Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley
The lightweight winner of TUF US vs UK Ross Pearson has his first post-TUF UFC fight with hardend veteran Aaron Riley. This should be a war until it ends, with pearson coming out on top with a hard fought decision win. 

PRELIMINARY CARD
Terry Etim vs. Shannon Gugerty
John Hathaway vs. Paul Taylor
Nick Osipczak vs. Matthew Riddle
Paul Kelly vs. Dennis Siver
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jared Hamman
Roli Delgado vs. Andre Winner

Dumb-Out Radio Volume One

DumbOut Radio Episode 1 by dumb-out

Dumb-Out.net radio episode one includes topics such as Fedor's Strikeforce debut, David Haye's fight with the giant, our picks for the Manny Pacquiao/Miguel Cotto fight, and more. Check out the first installment of our bi-weekly radio show and enjoy!

Minotauro vs. Couture Lives Up To It's Legendary Billing

The fan's in Portland were treated to a match up of legendary Heavyweight fighters as the hometown guy Randy Couture and Antonio Minotauro Nogueira went for broke for three rounds. Minotauro took the fight with crisper boxing, and multiple submission attempts, while Couture commanded massive applause for escaping harrowing positions and near TKO beatings from the Brazilian. The fight was a long time coming and it was exciting to see two of the sports best finally get the chance to face off. Minotauro walked away with the unanimous desicion win and looks to be back to his old self after a lackluster performance against Frank Mir in December. Antonio proclaimed that he was ready for Brock Lesner and another shot at UFC gold. The full results from UFC 102 are below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Randy Couture via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Thiago Silva def. Keith Jardine via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:35
• Jake Rosholt def. Chris Leben via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 3, 1:30
• Nate Marquardt def. Demian Maia via knockout (punch) - Round 1, 0:21
• Brandon Vera def. Krzysztof Soszynski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Aaron Simpson def. Ed Herman via TKO (injury) - Round 2, 0:17
• Gabriel Gonzaga def. Chris Tuchscherer via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 4:27
• Mike Russow def. Justin McCully via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
• Todd Duffee def. Tim Hague via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 0:07
• Mark Munoz def. Nick Catone via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
• Evan Dunham def. Marcus Aurelio via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Round 5 MMA Toys

You can pre-order them for shipment in April apparently over at Round5MMA.com. Kind of cool for your desk at work or what have you!

The Fedor-athon part duex!

Rumors that we can only prey are truth are currently circulating about Fedor Emelianenko becoming a free agent once again. Fedor's agent reported that Fedor should be separated from the promotion by next week. This has the MMA fanboys in a frenzy, with that thought of a Fedor Vs. Couture in the UFC dreammatchup possibly coming to fruition. In a perfect world Randy and Fedor get what they want from the UFC and make this match happen by years end.

Couture Vs. UFC heats up

Article

Here is an articel from sherdog.com courtesy of mmapayout.com that gives in depth look at the lawsuit filed by Zuffa against captain America.