James 'Lights Out' Toney signs with the UFC.

[Toothlessjoe]

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/392001/james_toney_loves_america_medium_medium_medium.jpg

http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=78935

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is... interesting.

He's still allowed to box (inbeforeFedorarguments), and he'll either be fighting at light-heavyweight or heavyweight.

Personally, I don't see why Dana signed a multi-fight deal with this guy. Maybe a few years ago when Toney still had it, sure. Now all I see is an aging boxing superstar with no time to learn the MMA game getting used as a money spinner.

It's clear Dana wants to get into that boxing market by setting up a superfight of sorts with this guy, people of both camps will tune in to see what happens. Lots of exposure, lots of PPV cash, and if Toney can't quite cut it, Dana can yap on about how UFC fighters are top of the food chain these days etc, etc.

Personally, I'd liked to have seen a younger boxer getting in there, but oh well.

We'll see what happens.

EDIT:

Oh Dana, what have you done:

Dana White: "...so you know how to check kicks?"

James Toney: "I know how to do it all. Front kick, back kick... all of it. Side check kick"

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/3/3/129121243616050674.png

[FatalOpiate]

Yeah this is just to sell ppv but whatever they will give him a can in his first fight and hopefully said can will try to stand and bang with just so we can see someone get owned Tim Sylvia style.

Then the next dude in line won't be a dumbass can trying to make a name by ko'ing a fuck boxer and just dump him on his head and sub him.

It will be interesting to watch I hope he does well I dont like to see the legends
of any sport get dropped by the wayside as the world moves on around them.

[Azure]

Uhh, who?

[Dave]

You pretty much said it yourself, it's all about the money no matter how you look at it. Seeing Toney compete in mma will be good though, i've always liked him as a boxer. Wether he will fair in the ufc only time can tell, but as you say he's obviously in it for the cash himself.

He always reminds me of tommy morrison (tommy gunn:p)

[HARDMAN]

They will throw him some noob to get knocked out so they can hype him up, then they will throw him against a solid grappler who will take him down and sub/TKO him to prove that MMA is better than boxing.

Pretty clever scheme by Dana White.

[a334jv2df]

People are going to pay to see this fight? Kimbo slice all over again

[plorntstar]

i think its going to be good, if he isnt burnt out or punch drunk.

joe rogan always sucks wrestlers dicks about how good their conditioning is, it doesnt really compare to what a professional boxer goes through to make it 12 rounds though. he also probably hits harder than anyone in ufc, and with those light little 4oz gloves he is going to be fucking deadly. if he works on his ground and pound i think he will probably do pretty good.

[TruthWielder]

i think its going to be good, if he isnt burnt out or punch drunk.

joe rogan always sucks wrestlers dicks about how good their conditioning is, it doesnt really compare to what a professional boxer goes through to make it 12 rounds though. he also probably hits harder than anyone in ufc, and with those light little 4oz gloves he is going to be fucking deadly. if he works on his ground and pound i think he will probably do pretty good.

If hes standing.

[plorntstar]

If hes standing.

maybe, he is an extremely highly paid professional athlete, i doubt he is going to just go in there and try to box everyone and get his ass handed to him like kimbo slice did. he also has a TON of upper body strength and conditioning, i'm guessing he is going to end up fighting something like rampage does.

[Mr. Dazed and Confused]

Uhh, who?

Really? You don't know who James Toney is? He's one of the greatest boxers ever.

I'm interested in seeing how he fairs, but it would be even more interesting to see a top-flight boxer in his prime making the switch. If James was in his prime, like when he was a middleweight and arguable the best pound for pound boxer in the world, I would be more interested.

He's still the best boxer to make the transition and he might be able to succeed a bit if he can defend against take downs. Yahoo did a story a few days ago comparing the signing to a freak show, they're probably correct but I hope he's not a total failure. I do agree with those who think that his opponent in his first fight might get arrogant and try to beat him at Toney's own game.

It would be funny to see Toney matched with Kimbo. You know Kimbo would try to KO him standing up. It would be probably the biggest freak show match up Dana could put out there.

[Mr. Dazed and Confused]

If hes standing.

Yeah, he's going to have to be a defensive minded ground fighter and learn how to defend take downs really well to have a chance. I don't think you can really compare him to Kimbo, Toney is a much better boxer.

[TruthWielder]

maybe, he is an extremely highly paid professional athlete, i doubt he is going to just go in there and try to box everyone and get his ass handed to him like kimbo slice did. he also has a TON of upper body strength and conditioning, i'm guessing he is going to end up fighting something like rampage does.

Thats a sober observation.

I definitely have hope for the guy. I enjoy watching phenomenal boxing skills.

[Azure]

People are going to pay to see this fight? Kimbo slice all over again

I don't know who he is, but he's damn better than Kimbo is he's a boxer.