James Toney vs Randy Couture IS NOT a Freakshow

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James “Lights Out” Toney will step inside the Octagon on August 28th, fighting the UFC Hall of Famer and MMA legend Randy Couture.
The bout was tagged by MMA fans and experts as a “Freak Show”. More
than that, UFC President Dana White declared that he will make an
example of James Toney, as a proof that Boxers cannot compete in MMA just as Boxers.

Hold your horses guys. It looks like we all forgot what Mixed Martial
Arts is all about. It doesn’t really mean what will be outcome of the
fight between James Toney and Randy Couture. The fact that an IBA World Heavyweight Champion competes in MMA is the true embodiment of the sport we love so much.

It’s true that the modern well-rounded MMA fighter must be a good grappler, as well as a good striker. James Toney
could have a lot of success if he fought back in 1993, but although
this is not UFC 1: The Beginning, I am completely sure that there’s
still a place for a world class striker inside the Octagon.

No one in their right mind would tip James Toney
to become the next UFC Heavyweight Champion. “Lights Out” is 41-years
old and may be way behind the prime of his illustrious career. But make
no mistake; Toney can still send some shockwaves by knocking out the
legendary Captain America.

We can speculate about the outcome
of the fight as much as we want. Again, all I would say is that it
doesn’t really matter if Toney KO’s Couture in 10 seconds, or if he
loses via a vicious ground-and-pound. James Toney himself may not even consider Boxing
as a Martial Art, but the beauty of it is that he stepped up and wants
to prove his worth. MMA cage (or ring) is the only place where he can
do it. This is the ultimate proving ground for fighters.

It may be highly popular to ridicule James Toney and label the UFC 118
co-main event as a “Freak Show”. But this fight is far from being a
Freak Show. Think again. This fight might just remind us why we became
MMA fans in the first place.
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I agree, this fight is not a freak show.

James Toney is a combat athlete. With that said, I don't think I'll have more respect for a boxer than I do for Art Jimmerson. While Jimmerson may not have been a world-champion caliber fighter, he was willing to take a huge step into the complete unknown by stepping out of the comforts of the ring and into a lawless octagon. He had the spirit that any martial artist should have.