UFC Signs Boxing Champion James Toney, Debut Date Uncertain |
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Jride
Standup Guy
Career record: 578-402
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Stockton, CA
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After a long period of off-again, on-again courtship, the UFC has pulled the trigger and signed 41-year-old boxing champion James Toney.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the signing to MMA Fighting after it was first reported by FiveOuncesofPain.com.
Toney had actively campaigned for a contract from the UFC, following White around the country to several events and eventually meeting with him. Toney reportedly turned down at least one contract offer before signing.
Asked when Toney would debut, White said he had "no idea."
With a professional boxing record of 73-6-2 with one no contest, Toney is among the great boxers of his era, winning titles in six different weight classes ranging from middleweight to heavyweight.
In the past, White noted that he'd have some trouble passing Toney off as a legitimate mixed martial artist after criticizing other late career changers like Herschel Walker, but he always voiced an interest in Toney as a "real fighter" capable of making the transition.
Toney has reportedly been training in MMA for some time in hopes of making his octagon debut. Now it appears he'll finally get the chance he's campaigned for.
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Last edited 3/3/10 4:52PM by Jride
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #1 3/3/10 4:51:21PM
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icantthinkofanything
Belt Contender
Career record: 595-415
Season: 17-2 (#753)
Location: between hell and hells kitchen
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I am shocked because Dana made Toney an offer, and Toney thought it was a joke. I thought Toney was expecting millions of dollars, and Dana would not pay for an inexpercied mma fighter who crossedover from boxing. I also thought since Toney is in his 40's, this was a no go.
I hope Dana White is not paying much more than he would pay any other mma fighter...
Although I really wish UFC payed more. We could get more of the strongest and Athletic competition.( like Lesnar who won the belt in 3 fights lol)
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Post #2 3/3/10 5:13:18PM
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State_Champ
MMA Sensei
Career record: 930-568
Season: 19-5 (#268)
Location: The Blue Sphere near the Red Sphere
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James Toney vs.....Kimbo!?!
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Post #3 3/3/10 5:24:58PM
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BustedKnuckle
MMA Sensei
Career record: 559-325
Season: 3-2 (#2140)
Location: The Flip Side
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OMFG!!!!!!!! Unless this is a brutal way to show Toney that MMA is no joke. And to shut that mouth of his, I cant fathom any reason for signing him! On a spot on a VS T.V show Toney dissed the whole UFC. Gave Dana the double bird!?!?!? I hope it isnt ......ugh!!! I dont know what to say! ..................................SIDESHOW, BUSH LEAGUE come to mind!!!!
Last edited 3/3/10 5:28PM by bustedknuckle
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #4 3/3/10 5:25:54PM
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Jride
Standup Guy
Career record: 578-402
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Stockton, CA
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Besides what everyone has been saying lately like "Put him with a wrestler like Cain and embarass him, etc etc."
I think Joe Silva should put Pat Barry in there and just tear up his legs with kicks and beat him standing. That will ultimately prove that MMA > Boxing and shut Toney up for good.
Last edited 3/3/10 5:27PM by Jride
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #5 3/3/10 5:26:19PM
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WheelchairBandit
Standup Guy
Career record: 354-218
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Eureka,CA
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I think a fight with Randy would be a LOT of fun.Obviously,Toney could hurt Randy bad on the feet,considering how fragile he is at this point.But if Randy got it into a clinch situation,he'd embarrass Toney worse than he embarrased Coleman.
Plus,both guys are about the same age.No point in throwing Toney in there with a 20-something animal,be it a boxer or MMA fighter.
Brian.
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Post #6 3/3/10 5:30:24PM
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BustedKnuckle
MMA Sensei
Career record: 559-325
Season: 3-2 (#2140)
Location: The Flip Side
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I see no upside to Toney being in the UFC. Unless to just keep up with the Johnson's(Strikforce!?!?!) Were they going to sign him?
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Post #7 3/3/10 5:44:25PM
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xdanish020
In Full Mount
Career record: 841-448
Season: 18-6 (#282)
Location: NY
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Posted by State_Champ
James Toney vs.....Kimbo!?!
That's the only thing I was thinking...
Possible Couture but I don't see any upside for Randy there.
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Post #8 3/3/10 6:01:15PM
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hate4thestate
In Full Mount
Career record: 435-312
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Kokomo, IN
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ufc was complaining about elitexc now they are turning into them.
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Post #9 3/3/10 6:09:02PM
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Twenty20Dollars
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 847-533
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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All I care about is how much money he is going to get paid, because I'm sure it will probably anger some UFC guys that Toney is going to get paid more than them and he's a 40 year old boxer making his mma debut.
SF should have just signed Toney, then James Toney vs Herschal Walker.
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Post #10 3/3/10 6:09:32PM
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Jride
Standup Guy
Career record: 578-402
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Stockton, CA
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Posted by Twenty20Dollars
SF should have just signed Toney, then James Toney vs Herschal Walker.
Winner gets Jose Canseco
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Post #11 3/3/10 6:15:39PM
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Jackelope
Go ahead, MOD my day
Career record: 586-330
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Getting choked out or arm barred
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I don't consider this to be such a joke at all.
If you remember what the UFC was originally created for it was to pit style against style and to see who is the strongest. Granted, mixed martial arts have grown far beyond that, but this is an opportunity to showcase that.
Unlike many others I think Boxing is one of the greatest styles to lend itself to the cage. If the stance is only slightly modified a boxer can do significant damage while compromising little inside the cage. Once established boxers (granted ones who are younger) step into the cage with the lightning handspeed and incredible precision of a high level professional boxer it will be extremely exciting to watch IMO.
I see the signing of someone like Kimbo as a joke because it's quite clear he's nothing but a marketing ploy. However, the signing of a legitimate fighter who made a career throwing hands doesn't bother me in the least bit. Not many have done it, but we've seen that you can be 40 years old and competitive in this sport. Why not give him his chance?
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Post #12 3/3/10 6:31:03PM
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Mchubb316
MMA Sensei
Career record: 425-266
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Southern Oregon
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Money in my opinion is the question. If he is making as much as a low level fighter, why not give him a shot. People will be interested in how he does. Boxing fans will be curious as well. It exposes the UFC into another demographic of fans.
The UFC is not turning into EliteXC, if they were he would headline a fight card very soon. I don't think he will even be on a PPV first time out.
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Post #13 3/3/10 6:33:36PM
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Boo_Radley21
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 573-405
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Ontario
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He must have just brought him in so that boxing fans could see one of their own get his ass handed to him.
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Post #14 3/3/10 6:39:12PM
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CwB
MMA Sensei
Career record: 221-151
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Sin Sh*tty
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While I do understand all the Hate over this signing, I see this as a pretty damn smart move.
-Signing Toney makes a S&*# load more sense then signing Walker or Kimbo, as Toney not only comes from a professional combat sport, but was a champion.
-This signing is similar to signing Brock Lesnar (ignoring the age difference) as Brock was a top notch wrestler with no other skills (besides his freakish size) and Toney is a top notch Boxer with no other skills. Both are huge names that will draw in a lot of new fans and Publicity. ( ----Yes, I know wrestlers have a much easier time transitioning into MMA then boxers----)
-Think about the marketing possible of a former Boxing Champion fighting in the UFC. ESPN talked a lot about Walkers debut, even ignored the rest of the fight card, think about how much ESPN will be talking about Toney's debut. (----Yes, I know how much it sucks to see freak shows get all the media attention, but it is media attention, which will spark interest in non-mma viewers-----)
-Plus I know we have all been waiting to see a Boxing Champ step into the cage and get his ass wooped. I know he is retired and all but this is a way for MMA to stick it to all those critics calling MMA fighters talentless street fighters.
Bottom line is UFC will get large amounts of media exposure and make lots of $$$$$ <-> which we all know, is the UFC's decision maker
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Post #15 3/3/10 6:49:54PM
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