Boxer James Toney to take on Randy Couture at UFC 18

[eleheas]

Former heavyweight boxing champion James Toney annoyed a lot of people when he was boxing and it seems he’s annoying a lot of them in mixed martial arts (MMA) now as he’s set to take on Randy Couture at UFC 118 in Boston, Massachusetts, on Aug. 28.
The 41-year-old Toney got under a lot of people’s skin as a boxer, most notably his opponents, fans, and promoters due to his constant trash-talking and nobody really wanted to pay to watch him box anymore. So Toney has started running off his mouth in a new sport to add some coin to his bank account.
Toney, who’s a former Ring Magazine Boxer of the year, was signed by UFC president Dana White to participate in an UFC event after Toney basically goaded him into it. And for that, White has come under a lot of criticism because he often stated he didn’t want to turn the UFC into a freak show by promoting fights that didn’t involve legitimate mixed martial artists. He now concedes that Toney sucked him in after his constant remarks about the sport at public appearances.

[lasker]

Randy Couture is going to embarrass him. Rear naked choke within three minutes of the first round.

[Dad]

Randy Couture is going to embarrass him. Rear naked choke within three minutes of the first round.

Thats exactly how I see it. I will probably be betting everything I own on Couture.

[lasker]

It's a safe bet in my opinion; about as safe as they come in MMA. But since the juice is so high, you should look into props. I really don't see Toney escaping the first round. Couture is going to be "representing" MMA against boxing. In reality, I don't see it like that at all, but that's how the fight is being billed and perceived by much of the public. Couture takes this role very seriously and it's why he took the fight to begin with. He always saw himself as an ambassador for the sport. So I don't even think he'll be satisfied with a TKO victory via ground and pound -- I think he's going to really want a submission, and his best and most likely submission is obviously the rear naked choke. If you can find Couture by first round stoppage and/or Couture by submission, I think there will be a lot more value on those bets.

[Vaughany]

It's a safe bet in my opinion; about as safe as they come in MMA. But since the juice is so high, you should look into props. I really don't see Toney escaping the first round. Couture is going to be "representing" MMA against boxing. In reality, I don't see it like that at all, but that's how the fight is being billed and perceived by much of the public. Couture takes this role very seriously and it's why he took the fight to begin with. He always saw himself as an ambassador for the sport. So I don't even think he'll be satisfied with a TKO victory via ground and pound -- I think he's going to really want a submission, and his best and most likely submission is obviously the rear naked choke. If you can find Couture by first round stoppage and/or Couture by submission, I think there will be a lot more value on those bets.

Spot on Lasker...Il be puttin a couple units on Couture winning in Round 1 or winning by sub in Rd 1 depending on which one is best value.

[Handjuice]

It will depend on Couture, i mean when's the last time he quickly took an opponent to the ground? 3-4 years ago?

Lately his fighting style consists of :

1. Grabbing a hold of his opponent.

2. Pushing them against the cage

3. Hugging/dirty boxing them for 4-5 minutes against the cage until finally dragging them to the ground.

Is this a good gameplan when your fighting a sneaky puncher like James Toney? Toney knows how to fight in the clinch, he's very adept at catching his opponents off guard with his use of the philly shell to land uppercuts and hooks. If Coututre tries to clinch with Toney for longer than he should, i can see this fight ending like Carwin-Mir.

[stefan084]

Toney will be able to get in about 2 or 3 punches before Randy shoots.That will be his chance, if he wiffs it will be a takedown and the fight ends in the first. i don't think Randy will do the push against the cage dirty boxing thing this time. At least I hope not

[chrisharvard01]

Former heavyweight boxing champion James Toney annoyed a lot of people when he was boxing and it seems he’s annoying a lot of them in mixed martial arts (MMA) now as he’s set to take on Randy Couture at UFC 118 in Boston, Massachusetts, on Aug. 28. The 41-year-old Toney got under a lot of people’s skin as a boxer, most notably his opponents, fans, and promoters due to his constant trash-talking and nobody really wanted to pay to watch him box anymore. So Toney has started running off his mouth in a new sport to add some coin to his bank account. Toney, who’s a former Ring Magazine Boxer of the year, was signed by UFC president Dana White to participate in an UFC event after Toney basically goaded him into it. And for that, White has come under a lot of criticism because he often stated he didn’t want to turn the UFC into a freak show by promoting fights that didn’t involve legitimate mixed martial artists. He now concedes that Toney sucked him in after his constant remarks about the sport at public appearances.

great copy and paste!




I see no value in this fight. The chalk is rediculous, and its too much to ask of COUTURE to end it in R1 to actually take a chance on this.

PINNACLE has COUTURE at -700. No f_ucking way this fight is worth a look.

[lasker]

I see no value in this fight. The chalk is rediculous, and its too much to ask of COUTURE to end it in R1 to actually take a chance on this.

PINNACLE has COUTURE at -700. No f_ucking way this fight is worth a look.

Too much to ask of Couture to end it in R1? That depends entirely on what the line will be. It is by far the most likely result of all possible results, in my opinion. All he'll need is one takedown and the fight will be over. Is James Toney going to stuff Randy Couture's takedowns? Toney has exactly one chance -- land a knockout punch within the first minute or so of the fight, or in the first minute of each round if he somehow survives longer than expected.

We're talking about a five-time UFC champion in two separate weight classes against a pure boxer with zero MMA fights to his name. I think Couture should be around -900, let alone -700, but the Couture by submission or Couture by 1st round stoppage prop must have better value.

[chrisharvard01]

no doubt COUTURE is the superior fighter bro. im just saying there isnt much value considering we can get other fights on the card at a lot less chalk.

it's all about dollars and sense for me

[lasker]

Exactly, same here. I actually do think there's value even @-700, but i'm not betting it. We'll wait to see the props. I think it's impossible to say there's no value on Couture in Rd 1 when we don't even know what that line will be yet.

[sirchadwick1]

Couture's chin + Toney's hands are the ONLY reasons I'm staying away from this fight.
Usually when I bet on fights that look all too easy on the favorite like this I get burnt.

Bet on Handy at your own risk... I wouldn't be shocked if he's KO'd.

[GoldRush7]

I just really hope Couture embarrasses him

[will2survive]

This is an easy fight to assess.If Toney lands some punches,Couture will definitely feel it but either Toney will get tired or Couture takes Toney down and makes him tap---you can bank on it.I GUARANTEE that Couture wins

[Pabinator]

I cant wait to watch this fight either way

[cooldavid3169]

At they are in the same age range and at least on par athletically with each other.

[Handjuice]

I'm gonna wait untill Toney becomes something like a 7-1 underdog and then put some money on him to win. He has more ko's on his record than Couture has fights, he's a real fighter and is very tough mentaly and lets not forget that Couture almost got Ko'd by Nog!

[lasker]

I'm gonna wait untill Toney becomes something like a 7-1 underdog and then put some money on him to win. He has more ko's on his record than Couture has fights, he's a real fighter and is very tough mentaly and lets not forget that Couture almost got Ko'd by Nog!

[southmadejd]

Guys, Randy has only won 3 times by submission so be careful with that submission prop bet. Even though it will be much easier to submit a guy with no jiu jitsu experience, I would put my money on a TKO victory by Randy. I could see him getting his back but then just flattening him out and hitting the sides of his head until ref stops it.

[lasker]

Guys, Randy has only won 3 times by submission so be careful with that submission prop bet. Even though it will be much easier to submit a guy with no jiu jitsu experience, I would put my money on a TKO victory by Randy. I could see him getting his back but then just flattening him out and hitting the sides of his head until ref stops it.

Definitely possible, I just think there's likely to be value in a submission prop. We'll have to see the odds. I think the odds on Couture by submission are going to be a lot more lucrative than Couture by 1st round stoppage, but I may play both. I really think Couture is out to send a message with this fight. You're right to point out that Couture is not a submission artist but he should really have no difficulty submitting Toney. I'm going to wait to see what odds are offered, but I have a feeling there will be major value.

Couture by flying gogoplata

[southmadejd]

Haha, that would be awesome!!!

[snake11eyes]

Everyone knows that Couture is the better fighter you cant argue that, but for some reason in his last few fights Couture seems to want to be a boxer and not a wrestler. I dont think he will try this with Toney, but you never know. Let's not forget Couture has been knocked out not once but twice by Chuck Liddell. Obviously there is no value on Couture -750 even the props for Couture in the first and by submission are going to be around -350. I probably wont bet this fight, but if I was the only play worth value is to take Toney by first or second round ko it's the only way he can win. If I'm able to get in range of +800 for a Toney ko I'll take a shot and if he connects it's Lights Out for sure.

[JuicedUp]

I hope Toney knocks randy's boring ass out.

[stefan084]

Guys, Randy has only won 3 times by submission so be careful with that submission prop bet. Even though it will be much easier to submit a guy with no jiu jitsu experience, I would put my money on a TKO victory by Randy. I could see him getting his back but then just flattening him out and hitting the sides of his head until ref stops it.

i think this is how it ends also--i don't see Couture going for a submission

[kenshin11x]

Dana White let toney fight just to prove Boxers can't come in and just fight MMA. He will lose.

[cooldavid3169]

If couture comes in and takes him down a little GnP and then goes for a submission this will be an easy fight. If he tries to clinch or stand first this could be a bad fight for him period.