UFC 118's James Toney: I could see that the fear in Randy Couture's eyes

BOSTON - just 24 hours after standing face to face with 118 UFC opponents Randy Couture (18-10 MMA, 15-7 UFC), boxing champion James Toney (72-6-3 boxes, 0 0 MMA) reminded me at the moment with a smile.

You see, it was during this Staredown have all been confirmed his suspicions.

"I've seen fear" Toney told about MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) at Thursday's media workout session. "I smelled it to."

"Anyone can sit and say, ' Oh, Randy was hard."He was cool."All were Randy Couture fans [say that].""Could up close and personal in his eyes sehen.Er is not never seen nobody like me in his life."

Toney and Couture have no chance for a further meeting on Thursday as UFC officials the usual process opponents of the paths cross when possible to halten.Aber after their short Staredown on Thursday's pre-event said press conference, Toney, rode his confidence high.

"" I'm a very different way,"said Toney."I'm something he is not never in his [expletive] life gesehen.Ich can tap it out or I can choke him out - either or.

"Where you want to go, I'm a big, strong dude." I have been my whole life strong."This is nothing new for me."

While Toney which claimed from the date it is signed by the Organization was first announced that he was planning on sticking his boxing roots says "Lights Out" he some minor changes made to its approach.

Nevertheless Toney says longtime fans are still happy with what you see.

"My angle offset what it is doing just that," said Toney."We made a few adjustments and it kommt.It's coming.""You'll like what you see, but it is still vintage James Toney."

Of course, these new techniques remained Thursday under lock and key.While part in light workouts for the assembled media took seven other UFC 118 fighters, Toney showed in what he described as 400,000 US US dollar estimated worth of bling and 25 minutes chatting with reporters spent rather than step into the Octagon.

But if you try in his decision to read Toney bothered does not say.

"I work out never", Toney said."I Ereignisse.Ich never not media days during boxes and I nie.Ich would like to see anyone what I do - especially all you other clowns from his camp."

"It is what it is.""I will stay here prefer and let people know who I am."

While Toney neglected physically look at its current form, it provide an assessment of its training camp.

"" I think all great - went according to plan, ", said Toney.I trained hard every Tag.Ich 14 days to someday trained says, because you know I like to work, well, a half ago that despite everyone else about me.

"It went gut.Ich will give a Commons mean a B plus, just because it's new."

All the talk is finally disrupt an end on Saturday night at Boston's Garden of TD come. While most MMA observers believe the result is all but assured Chael Sonnen supporters were few and far between three weeks ago and he was almost a of epic proportions.

In this classic case of the strikers vs. grappler believes boxing champion, it is time for him, a show regardless of what critics might think.

"" [Couture] find out", said Toney."All he has to do is show on Saturday night and he erfahren.Fragen you him, after the Kampf.Nachdem he wakes up, ask him.

"If Randy tries and trade with me, he gets knocked out the [expletive]."

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

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A veteran of Boston's boxing circuit, UFC 118's Marcus Davis grateful for MMA

Garden means are fighting on TD circle for UFC welterweight Marcus Davis.

Davis is enabled, before recently 37 Saturday's UFC-118-card on the only competitor in the storied arena (original Boston Garden, not corporate-sponsored version seen today) is fought.

He was 21, he knocked the last boxing card held the 67-year old arena for a hotel in Joe LaRoux for the second time in what he said.

Now, in the arena as mixed martial artists coming back almost 10 years after leaving boxes, a living example for MMA's grip on martial arts. He feels blessed to have found its way to the cage.

"The way things have in place, it has fallen as therapy for me," Davis (17-6 MMA, UFC 9) recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Davis, Nate Diaz (12 MMA, UFC 7-3) Saturday's UFC 118 first pay bout meets, fought on the garden two years after he, moved further from Bangor, Maine, Boston to his boxing career. Already a father he took root in a Portuguese neighborhood next to professionals Micky Ward and Dana Rosenblatt while working as a bareback in the combat zone, a red light district known for his sleazy trained heyday of the 1970s.

He was a big fish in Bangor, but a different number in the city.To compensate for it has the usual hard guy routine and fought at the drop of a hat if someone made its toughness in question. He got a reputation for flying off the handle in the gym.

"I get really together with someone", he said."I was a real douchebag." "I liked either or I hated Sie.Alles was black and Weiß.Ich had a drinking problem at the time, and I was always fighting in which and from which the Ring.Es played no role."

At the same time he fought on the garden, he fell out of love with boxes.

He said "I was been screwed on so many times"."I was a professional for seven Jahre.Ich had maybe two and a half fights, a year though I every day, twice on the day six days a week, trained because fights ever promised and fell off."

"Then, fighting and be told, you will make X amount of dollars, and then I get my money, and it is half of it."

He had the UFC followed since its early days but had always in the boxing world was wrapped.

But he left this world, broke and bitter in 2000, and he spent the next three years of his life in proceedings a boxing contract to escape a judge who compared to "Work under slavery."On the way he met mark DellaGrotte and began his MMA training after 10 rounds of hard sparring with the trainer.

By the time he sent in his audition tape for "The Ultimate Fighter 2," the second season of the UFC-landmark-reality series, bar business, that is, divorced from his second wife, he was back in and life in a barn with a crippled former Army sniper.

He made it on the show, and the rest as you say, is history.

Davis says Boston was a boxing town, but things have changed in the six years since his 10 ounce gloves hing.Es the same for Massachusetts.

"" There boxing shows hardly ever, in particular, when comparing to MMA shows,"he said."Here in Massachusetts, there are two or three MMA one month zeigt.Sie are lucky if it show a boxing every two or three months.

"With my son, I watch no longer Boxen.Ich see the MMA.Ich sit 16, (and) we see who's MMA."

Davis has revived his relationship with his second ex-wife and lives .If with three of his children in Bangor (his fourth is in school) he Diaz meets, will fight its 13 UFC and it comes in a place where good memories it plenty.

"" I remember that here and what it was like when I was training for this fight, he said."I remember the feeling I had when I garden kam.Ich remember how I erschlossen.Ich just know that I will revive the whole thing in the quantity and the excitement and do like me that night."

He knows regardless of how things from this Saturday in turn that he the right choice, get out of the ring hit.

"I would still life in a barn with a crazy sniper if I not mixed martial arts", said Davis.

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

(Pictured: Marcus Davis)

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"UFC 121: Lesnar vs Velasquez" main Board, which officially announced for Oct. 23

As expected returns Center for UFC 121 to California and Anaheim's Honda ultimate fighting Championship.

The Oct. 23 event features a heavyweight title fight between world champion, Brock Lesnar (5-1 MMA, UFC 4-1), and top candidates Cain Velasquez (8 0MMA, 6-0 UFC).

Also announced and completed pay master card Jake shields are Welterweights Martin Kampmann (17 MMA, UFC 8-2) vs. (25-4 1 MMA, 0 0 UFC), Welterweights Diego Sanchez (21-4 MMA, UFC 10-4) vs. Paulo Thiago (filling MMA, UFC 3-2) light heavyweights Matt Hamill (9 MMA, UFC 9-2) vs. Tito Ortiz (15-7 1 MMA, 14 1 UFC) and heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga (11-5 MMA, UFC 7-4) vs. Brendan Schaub (6-1 MMA, UFC 2-1).

All five matches, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported are now officially for the autumn card.

Although not officially announced as MMAjunkie.com first reported UFC 121 a "UFC prelims" receive special.Spike TV shows with an hour night PPV air and feature two provisional card attacks precede.

The focus of the UFC 121, is of course the heavyweight headliner.Lesnar has been perhaps, Subscribe to UFC's largest PPV, and he is now a rapidly growing and undefeated fighter who could make MMA history.

"" In the entire battle history, there was never a Mexican heavyweight champion, but at UFC 121, Cain Velasquez will try to make history and first, "the UFC told President Dana white.""To do this, he must, however, the baddest man on the planet, UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar defeated."

Include additional subplots that advertising debut of former StrikeForce Middleweight and welterweight of remarkable Jake shields, as well as Matt Hamill's struggle with his coach of "The Ultimate Fighter 3," Tito Ortiz.

The UFC again the Honda Center for the first time since 2007, when a split decision loss erlitt.Tickets UFC 121, which range from $ 75 to $ 500, go Chuck Liddell colleagues headliner Keith Jardine Themain event of UFC 76 on sale later this week (stay tuned for details).

The latest UFC 121 card now includes:

MAIN CARD Champ Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez (for heavyweight title) Martin Kampmann vs. Jake ShieldsDiego Sanchez vs. Paulo ThiagoMatt Hamill vs. Tito OrtizGabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan SchaubPRELIMINARY CARD Ryan Jensen vs. Court McGee * Todd Duffee vs. Jon Madsen * Patrick Cote vs Tom Lawlor * Sam stout vs Paul Taylor * Mike Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts * Chris Camozzi vs Dongi Yang * - not officially announced

Stay tuned, the UFC rumors section of MMAjunkie.com actions on for the full coverage of the UFC-121.

(Pictured: Brock Lesnar)

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Report: Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic replaced "Big Nog" in UFC 119 headliner

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (27-7 2 MMA, UFC 4-3) replaces an injured Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1 MMA, UFC 3-2) and now Frank meets me (13-5 MMA, UFC 11-5) in the headliner of the next month UFC-119-event, according to a report by"fighters" only

Although details Nogueira injury not reported, a source of close to the fighter is said to blame a recurring hip injury MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

UFC 119 is September 25 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The main Board airs on pay per view and two preliminary card attacks air on Spike TV.

Have been planned to the rematch at UFC 119 me and Nogueira.Me, won his first meeting with Nogueira with a natural impressive second-round knockout in UFC 92 in December 2008.Nur after the fight we learned was slowing Nogueira staph infection recovery and a knee injury.However, Nogueira praised his opponent's performance and said, he's surprised me was significantly improved striking skills.

Me is only 1-2 since this great victory, Nogueira loss the first halt with Lesnar KO'D Brock loss marked and Shane Carwin and a submission through Cheick Congo marked his last outing gewinnen.Der Carwin loss that came at UFC 111 in March with a provisional title on the line.

Filipovic, a former PRIDE star, now in his second stint with the UFC, looks to improve on his recent and impressive 5-1.Der lead only loss during the route came to current UFC candidate junior dos Santos, and Filipovic immediately recovers from, loss with the last interruption of Anthony Perosh WINS 110 and Pat Barry at UFC 115 at UFC.

Filipovic been medical, 180 days after the UFC 115 event due to head and face exposed to bruising, but he could have requested early clearance from a doctor.

The latest UFC 119 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (pay TV)
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Frank Mir * Ryan Bader vs. Antonio Rogerio NogueiraChris Lytle vs Matt SerraEvan Dunham vs Sean SherkMelvin Guillard vs. Jeremy StephensPRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)
C.b. Dollaway vs Joe DoerksenJoey Beltran vs Matt MitrionePRELIMINARY CARD
Steve Lopez vs. Waylon LoweT.J.Grant vs. Julio PaulinoMark hunt vs. Sean McCorklePat Audinwood vs. Aaron Riley * - not officially announced

For more at UFC 119, stay tuned to the UFC rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic)

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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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