Randy Couture says UFC 118 fight no freak show, James Toney's power overrated

With the highly anticipated UFC 118 event only days away, MMA pundits expectations vary wild on the main card bout between UFC Hall of Fame Randy Couture (18-10 MMA, 15-7 UFC) and boxes veteran James Toney (72-6-3 boxes, 0 0 MMA).

Sure the clichés "anything can happen in a fight" and "puncher's Chance" are generally introduced into the discussion, it is a two word other set that was the General go to descriptor: "freak show."

Even UFC President Dana White has said he believes that the fight is a bit like a circus.However, Couture sees competition in a different light and expected a strategic issue.

"" "" I think it is a struggle "freak show","said Couture MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com)." I think people have to James credit for things he is reached in boxing."I reached certainly a lot of things decided in wrestling, and nobody to give me any credit for it if I my way in MMA.Diese combative sports count for something."

Couture's wrestling includes a gold medal background at the 1991 Pan most play, and played Greco-Roman long into the base of the "natural for the's '-strategy. So, while many observers of Toney's chances are discounting, Couture of opponent denied to minimize skills.

"" James is going to be dangerous, especially early in the battle ", said Couture.He has an interesting boxing Stil.Er explosiv.Er has good hands.I very carefully, especially early on, and it established and diligent and leave him to pull me in this type of Exchange. I think that makes for an interesting fight.

"The cool thing is that we'll probably win eyes of boxes we otherwise have attracted a lot would not and that's great for the sport."

He may not allow during Couture, notes Toney in toe to toe Exchange to compete, isn't he also believes in boxer's claims that a single blow could easily at night.

"" It is in this traditional boxing attitude where they can really use the mechanics of such punch to throw first he things will be for a lot of vulnerable,"said Couture."Second of all, I don't know if you've seen his hands, but he is very sleight. He has very, very small hands.

"He began some pounds in boxing 160-."He is a great big man with big boned as Brock Lesnar throw cans ham on your ass.It will not happen."I think he is also to be aware the when he starts to unleash four ounces that gloves its not as much protection as he lived,."

Couture's Greco-Roman clinch the foreign location, Toney used to work is not necessarily short handle an opposing Boxer.But Couture believes, the differences in these situations are large enough that it can be effective from his preferred position without too much fear.

"I I can be effective in this area with the think barrier", said Couture."I don't think, James had to hang him someone or folders is the way, a wrestler - especially a wrestler."I'm certainly prepared to deal with him in this area.

"There are things I need to know, and he is a good within fighter - sind.Ich still need most boxers it consciously sein.Ich need to ensure that it's wrestling and as lose.Ich type have of adapted my rings opportunities to strikes and creating space in there to treffen.Das is not really the game with James.Ich would it make not with James until I is him on the Rücken.Dann."

And if the fight ends up on the ground, which assume most observers is only a matter of time, Couture believes a submission shortly follow.

"" I'd love to stifle the hell out of him,"said Couture.""Absolut.Ich think this is a great piece of mixed martial arts, and certainly a big piece of the game, which I think habe.Ich worked he still make some mistakes and give me some positions to make that a possibility."

For more at UFC 118, stay tuned to the UFC rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Randy Couture)

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Nick Diaz vs k.j. optional title fight official, serves as Oct. 9 strike force headliner

As expected strike force welterweight world champion Nick Diaz (Losman MMA, 3-0-SF) and k.j. Optional (10-2 MMA, 2-0-SF) 9 event at HP Pavilion, San Jose, California fight a Oct.

Strike force spokesman Mike Afromowitz today confirmed with the Championship bout with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and said it will serve as a night main event.

The rematch, the three years in the making, airs as part of the night Showtime aired.

Tickets for the event, the a co headline between strike force women welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman and Challenger Marloes Coenen, are now on sale for strike force Insider.

Already reported MMAjunkie.com Diaz vs was optional in the process is finalisiert.Fakultativ got the slot after Middleweight Champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller, welterweight Joe Riggs and one may soon to exit Jay Hieron as potential opponents were excluded.

Optionally set up to fight for the title, after scoring a second-round TKO of Jorge Gurgel this past weekend at "strike force: Houston."The victory was optional sixth straight going back to 2007, the year the he Nick Diaz most upset "EliteXC: renegade."Optionally, who also a boxer, smash Diaz and many face offers physicians, cuts the ringside to stop the bout after the first round promoted.

EliteXC were partly due to the contract between optional and defunct promotion to book officials never able, the rematch.Optional with Strikefore signed earlier this year, launched the wheels in motion.

But not that keep Diaz, optionally on a June 2008 event in Hawaii, faced if winner against separate fighter registered both fighters.

"Nick has no class, he is a bum, a piece [expletive], and he and his team ignored my family and I with their gestures and trash talk and tried bands my struggle,"declared optional, whose stock was almost beats with Diaz's."

Since joining strike force, Conor Heun defeated optional (split decision) and throat on light and now moves to apply to welterweight Diaz.

Diaz brings a seven fight win strips his own in the strike force Kampf.Nach victories over Frank Shamrock (179 pounds), Scott Smith (180 pounds) and Marius Zaromskis (for the welterweight title), he went to Japan and submitted at may's DREAM Hayato Sakurai. 14 Ereignis.Diaz, suspending it hassle from Oct. 9 will end his role in the April television transmitted CBS strike force now finds his 12th victory in 13 fighting.

For the latest on the "strike force: Diaz vs. optional," stay tuned to the MMA rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: k.j. optional)

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UFC 118 snapshot Photos: James Toney and UFC Championship Belt

by Anton Tabuena on 26 August 2010 3: 43 AM EDT in MMA News

James Toney poses for UFC during UFC 118 Pre-Fight Press conference. Win v Couture would propel pro-boxer mix up to heavyweight title?And this would be "bad for the sport" BJ Penn? begs differ:

"What is worse than having champ WWF [as] our heavyweight champ? ain't that worse than having James Toney come and win the fight. This is great for the sport. James Toney is a gift of God to MMA right now.It is encouraging sport.It is telling everyone to go out and buy tickets. cannot ask for better than a guy, what does James Toney is putting more money in everybody's pocket. "

Read more: james toney, randy couture, ufc 118, BJ penn, UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2

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Florian says Maynard is a fighter boring and too cocky

Kenny Florian of been there before. The UFC lightweight Title lost fight with a very early in his career against Sean Sherk and then ripped off six straight WINS. Maybe it was a bit hard tips for his next shot against B.j. Penn. Florian stuck with a gameplan vitiated and lost in the fourth round through the rear-naked Choke. He knows now is important to stay grounded and thinks that Gray Maynard was better follow the Council itself.

"I definitely sense a kind of cockiness. A different attitude than showed in the past, "Florian said of his opponent at UFC 118 (0: 22 mark). "I've been there too. We are victims of it. I think he looks over me.I think he is already looking towards the title. He is definitely on the side cocky. "

Just 9-0 in MMA, Florian asks where cockiness of Maynard is coming from. He also wants to see how Maynard deals with adversity.

"Gray never met that kind of pressure.He's never ever met when someone is kind of knock on him, "Florian said Larry Pepper from Radio ProMMA (mark 2: 57)" He has always been the aggressor. He has always been the bully. It's easy to get struggles that when you are winning the fight all the time.As he is about to answer when he has always fought? "

Maynard never really was beaten down, but he was frustrated to no end in his last fight against Nate Diaz. Incessant chatter Diaz in Octagon took Maynard out of his game. If that screwed with head of Maynard, what if he actually is losing the fight?

"As he is about to answer when he was injured and he is still injured and he is injured, again," said Florian."And he is losing every minute of every round. What is that gonna feel like for him?"

Maynard was far more explicit in the lead up to this fight. Part of this is the realization that guys like Dan Hardy, Paul Daley and even Diaz moved very faster than self-promotion more heavily. Florian not see that it's just a ploy to Maynard to push the fight and his image.He was insulted by Maynard saying that he can beat Florian in every aspect of MMA.

"If he does not respect my skills, he is gonna be in trouble," said Florian.He suggested that Maynard will be full of excuses if he loses the fight. "'S gonna be one of those things where (Maynard Says), ' I don't understand what happened or Kenny got lucky.Or I made a mistake and I'll be back and better than ever."Not that I am has created a lot of motivation for me."

Florian not to mention a lot of garbage, but decided to focus a bit back to Maynard (Mark 6: 10).

"I don't think he is the most exciting hunting," Florian said Maynard. "I wouldn't jump up and down when there is a gray Maynard fight in progress, but I respect his skills. "

This is a huge struggle in lightweight Division. the winner has a good shot at the meeting the winner Frank Edgar-b. j. Penn. promotional terms, you have to think that the UFC would love to see Maynard victory.

Check out whole pepper interview with Florian here.

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WEC 50 replays air, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday on versus (updated)

Although the usual day-didn't materialize on replays ' t, versus has opened three Windows for a transfer of "WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez."

Aug. 18 event found in the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vega and broadcast live.

Replays are set for this Thursday (9 pm ET / 6 pm PT), Sept. 16 (4 am ET) and Sept. 23 (9 am ET).

WEC 50 featured band between bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and top candidate Joseph Benavidez, a few attacks that affect the title: lightweights Shane roller vs. Anthony Pettis and Bantamweights Scott Jorgensen vs. Brad Pickett.

Like MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported, the event averaged initial air 316,000 viewers, the lowest operating cost since MMAjunkie.com began tracking WEC ratings in 2008 with record breaking WEC 34 show (1.54 million viewers).But as in all WEC cards WEC 50 entertaining night fast-paced battles and positive reviews from most fans proved one deserves.

The MMAjunkie.com section more about WEC - 50, including the night's official results, stay tuned to the MMA events-.

(Pictured: Dominick Cruz)

(UPDATED on [8] / [25] / [10] at 3: 45 pm ET, the planned replays and aktualisieren.WEC versus officials, an updated schedule provided.)

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In a classic, triangles Pettis Roller 50 WEC

 

The WEC was undecided Whether to give a title shot winner of Roller Pettis-Shane Anthony fight, the promotion was to be sold after watching the thriller that took place this evening in Las Vegas. The lightweights engaged in back and forth a great battle that all moved the cage. Roller had its moments but was down 2-0 and probably lose the third, when he went broke in the final seconds. Pettis capitalized on aggression of Roller, slapped on a triangle choke and scored finishing at 4: 51 of round 3.

The 23-year-old Pettis is now online for a title shot against WEC champ Ben Henderson.

"My confidence is high as has ever been," said Pettis. "I am ready for the sample.What happened to? Well, where you at?WEC needs a new face, it's me baby! "

Update: The WEC announce Pettis scored the presentation of 10,000 $ bonus night.

Pettis (WEC 11-1, 4-1) set the victory with some excellent work he avoided grappling. Takedown ugly of Roller and even when he was dumped on the mat, Pettis quickly got back on foot or put his opponent in potential difficulties of presentation.

Even more shocking was Pettis ' ability of takedown Roller, a wrestler all-American three times at Oklahoma State.Pettis was 3-for-3 on takedown attempts while Roller had just 2-of-6. Second Compustrike, Pettis dominated the amazing outlanding Roller 63-27.

"Hold Shane Roller was pretty good," said Pettis. "He is a tough guy.I never got the shot in the face many times. big ups to Shane. "

Roller, who suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose end in 90 seconds, said that he never got into a Groove.

"I was a little frustrated.Was one of those nights where it wasn't by clicking, "said Roller (WEC 8-3, 5-2)."I felt slow all three shifts.I didn't feel strong here for some reason. "

In the lead up to the fight, Pettis had punctured his wrestling heavily.He had worked in his defense takedown with former Olympian and two-time NCAA wrestling champ Ben Askren. early, it was clear prep work of Pettis was paying dividends.Has foiled two takedown attempts in the first two minutes.

On the feet, was much faster and more creatively. He landed the best shot of the fight with a crazy, loop head football that landed on the back of the head of the Roller (see picture).

From the beginning of the second round, didn't seem right Roller. He was up and check the cage allowing Pettis. behold, when Pettis scored a takedown, controlled Roller on the ground for just over two minutes and landed some good body blows. But wasn't Roller outside the fight, as he landed an overwhelming left hook that stunned Pettis. He just doesn't have the extra burst for depositing it.

Roller score a takedown at the beginning of the third but he could never settle into Pettis ' guard long enough for him to break with anything of significant and repeatedly has nearly caught in locations where a triangle could've been slapped on. Was a sign of things to come as Pettis finally got him with nine seconds left in the fight.

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' Jacare ' WINS Strikeforce middle belt with decision on Kennedy

In the fight that decided the winner of the middle belt, Ronaldo vacant Strikeforce "Jacare" Souza has won a unanimous decision on Tim Kennedy, with maps of judges read 49-46, 48-47, 48-47.

Jacare, known as one of the world's best in Jiu-Jitsu, held the first round permanent, effective landing strikes in the first round. Jacare Counterpunched Kennedy, but had an answer for every move offensive that made Kennedy.That continued into the second round. Jacare wore down Kennedy, although Kennedy did things attempt takedown of Jacare.

In the third round, Jacare opened a cut above his left eye of Kennedy with a big right hand. not long after his face started bleeding, Kennedy Jacare took, but surprisingly, Jacare doesn't want to stay there. Scored from under Kennedy and led the fight back walking for the rest of the turn.

Fourth, Kennedy appeared on Earth more punches, but they did not cause much damage. with about a minute and a half left in the fourth round, Kennedy landed a shot of Jacare indavertent groin.Jacare was given time to recover, while Kennedy eye bled. the fight was delayed more due to a problem with the clock to fight.

Kennedy impresses improved in the final round, but in the last 30 seconds of round wire Jacare landed two strikes which wobbled Kennedy.Kennedy replied with a takedownm bringing Jacare ashore for a millisecond before Jacare jumped to his feet.

After the decision was announced, Kennedy was confused and upset with the call by judges.

"The best grappler world couldn't get off me, and I took him down a few times," said Kennedy. "I've said before. I do not like judges. I won't be here again. "

The fight was close as prognosticators predicted, but hits Jacare was effective throughout the match. the specialist of grappling proved that he is just as comfortable on his feet as he is on the ground and because of this, he is the newly crowned champion Middle Strikeforce.

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