James Toney’s UFC Run; What Went Wrong?

PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN(James Toney’s UFC Run)

During the late 2000s and early 2010s, mixed martial arts became the hot ticket for legitimate fighting. At that point, the UFC was thriving as a PPV powerhouse, turning MMA into a mainstream sport in the United States. With the UFC having many household names, the UFC’s popularity grew to where cross-overs from other combat sports were inevitable.

James Toney’s UFC Run In 2010

One of the most notable crossovers between boxing and MMA was the UFC signing of former boxing champion James Toney. In an ideal scenario, James Toney’s name value could’ve done big business for the UFC. Especially if he were to adapt to MMA in a short period, James Toney could’ve opened more crossovers between boxing and MMA.

However, although James Toney succeeded in boxing, MMA is a different playing field. He was also 42 during his UFC signing, being physically limited in adapting to MMA. And despite his lack of an MMA background, James Toney had to go against multi-time UFC Champion Randy Couture.

James Toney vs. Randy Couture At UFC 118

In August 2010, less than a year after signing with the UFC, James Toney made his UFC debut against Randy Couture at UFC 118. Randy Couture dominated James Toney in the first round, submitting him via arm-triangle choke.

The fight between James Toney and Randy Couture received heavy criticism, even from UFC president Dana White. Not long after it happened, James Toney got released from his multi-fight UFC deal. After a potential MMA fight against Shamrock got canceled, James Toney left MMA and returned to boxing.

James Toney vs. Randy Couture In A Boxing Match?

In an interview with the Murder Master Music Show, James Toney claimed that Randy Couture refused to honor a supposed deal that they were to have a boxing match. James Toney stated that he had lost all respect for Randy Couture after he retired from MMA.

James Toney and Randy Couture don’t receive enough credit for kickstarting crossover competitions between MMA and boxing. And although James Toney and Randy Couture never got it on in a boxing match, that didn’t stop UFC megastars like Conor McGregor having crossover boxing matches with Floyd Mayweather, garnering massive business.