Toney Loves Being Bad Guy for Couture Fight
Joe Myers Aug 12, 2010
UFC Hall of Famer Randy
Couture is one of the most well-liked people in the sports of
mixed martial arts.
So, it's a good thing that Couture's opponent at UFC 118 -- boxer James Toney -- doesn't mind being portrayed as the bad guy leading up to their fight Aug. 28 in Boston.
"I've been the bad guy all my life and this is nothing new for me,"
said Toney during a conference call Thursday promoting the UFC 118
card. "If (fans) boo me, I love it. I'm used to it. I get booed
every time I'm in the ring. I'm cocky, brash and braggadocios, but
people can't beat me, so they boo me."
The 41-year-old Toney was very matter of fact when it came to predicting the outcome of the bout, which is the co-feature contest on a card headlined by Frankie Edgar's lightweight title defense against B.J. Penn.
Toney has held world titles in boxing ranging from middleweight (160 pounds) all the way up to heavyweight and has a 72-6-3 record in the ring, but preparing for his mixed martial arts debut has forced him to learn a new set of skills, including kickboxing and submissions.
"Kicking is for girls," Toney said of his cross-training. "I like the grappling part of things. The rear-naked choke and guillotine. I like all that. It's like it came naturally to me."
However, Toney said it's his boxing that will do all the work against Couture come fight time.
"I'm ready and can't wait," said Toney. "I can't wait to show people what a real fighter does with his hands. I've been training for this for about 11 months. I'm born to win. It doesn't matter that this is my first fight."
The 47-year-old Couture has won two straight fights since dropping a unanimous decision to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 in August 2009. In his last fight, Couture submitted fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman with a rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC 109 in February.
With wins over seven former UFC champions, Couture is no stranger to the limelight and he said representing the sport of MMA against a boxer in Toney doesn't add any pre-fight pressure.
"There's nothing riding on this for the sport of MMA," said Couture. "This fight is going to be MMA. Boxing is a good sport, but this is sill going to be in the Octagon and it's going to be an MMA fight. Things are going to happen here that don't happen in a boxing match."
Facing a fighter who has more than 40 knockouts on his boxing resume, one might wonder if Couture's chin might get tested by Toney. But Couture said his chin can still take a shot, even from someone as powerful as Toney.
"I got knocked on my can twice (against Nogueira)," said Couture. "But I was exposing myself. I should've relied more on my Greco-Roman wrestling. I've only really been KOed once and that was by Chuck Liddell. I've been knocked on my butt, but that's not an indication my chin is weak. Nogueira and Lesnar (gave him a flash knockdown), but with someone as big as Lesnar, there's little you can do about it. You just have to train to do what you do best and go and let it all hang out."
Couture said he doesn't have a preferred method of victory, only that he comes out on top.
"I don't have a certain way that I want to win," said Couture. "I've got a game plan to have a chance to win the fight. I can't focus on a submission or knockout. I just want to create positions to where I can win. I'm just as content to get on top and pound him out, but if submission comes, it comes."
So, it's a good thing that Couture's opponent at UFC 118 -- boxer James Toney -- doesn't mind being portrayed as the bad guy leading up to their fight Aug. 28 in Boston.
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The 41-year-old Toney was very matter of fact when it came to predicting the outcome of the bout, which is the co-feature contest on a card headlined by Frankie Edgar's lightweight title defense against B.J. Penn.
"People just need to tune in and see me do what I do best," said
Toney. "Randy is going to be Randy and James is going to be James.
I'm going to win, hands down. I'm knocking him out. If he gets too
close, it's going to be a wrap for him."
Toney has held world titles in boxing ranging from middleweight (160 pounds) all the way up to heavyweight and has a 72-6-3 record in the ring, but preparing for his mixed martial arts debut has forced him to learn a new set of skills, including kickboxing and submissions.
"Kicking is for girls," Toney said of his cross-training. "I like the grappling part of things. The rear-naked choke and guillotine. I like all that. It's like it came naturally to me."
However, Toney said it's his boxing that will do all the work against Couture come fight time.
"I'm ready and can't wait," said Toney. "I can't wait to show people what a real fighter does with his hands. I've been training for this for about 11 months. I'm born to win. It doesn't matter that this is my first fight."
The 47-year-old Couture has won two straight fights since dropping a unanimous decision to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 in August 2009. In his last fight, Couture submitted fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman with a rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC 109 in February.
With wins over seven former UFC champions, Couture is no stranger to the limelight and he said representing the sport of MMA against a boxer in Toney doesn't add any pre-fight pressure.
"There's nothing riding on this for the sport of MMA," said Couture. "This fight is going to be MMA. Boxing is a good sport, but this is sill going to be in the Octagon and it's going to be an MMA fight. Things are going to happen here that don't happen in a boxing match."
Facing a fighter who has more than 40 knockouts on his boxing resume, one might wonder if Couture's chin might get tested by Toney. But Couture said his chin can still take a shot, even from someone as powerful as Toney.
"I got knocked on my can twice (against Nogueira)," said Couture. "But I was exposing myself. I should've relied more on my Greco-Roman wrestling. I've only really been KOed once and that was by Chuck Liddell. I've been knocked on my butt, but that's not an indication my chin is weak. Nogueira and Lesnar (gave him a flash knockdown), but with someone as big as Lesnar, there's little you can do about it. You just have to train to do what you do best and go and let it all hang out."
Couture said he doesn't have a preferred method of victory, only that he comes out on top.
"I don't have a certain way that I want to win," said Couture. "I've got a game plan to have a chance to win the fight. I can't focus on a submission or knockout. I just want to create positions to where I can win. I'm just as content to get on top and pound him out, but if submission comes, it comes."
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