Is boxer James Toney an MMA freak show? Many UFC heavyweights say no

Purists have cried hypocrisy over news of boxing champion James Toney’s new Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

The 41-year-old boxing veteran got the usual line on Wednesday for well-known outsiders who make their way to MMA: he’s an opportunist just looking to make a buck, he couldn’t make it in his sport and can’t go anywhere else, and he’ll be obliterated by the “real fighters.”

But several UFC heavyweights MMAjunkie.com spoke to Wednesday – including Paul Buentello, Chris Tuchscherer, Pat Barry and Brendan Schaub – didn’t condemn Toney for the move. Most, in fact, had more positive things to say than negative.


Purists have cried hypocrisy over news of boxing champion James Toney’s new Ultimate Fighting Championship contract.

The 41-year-old boxing veteran got the usual line on Wednesday for well-known outsiders who make their way to MMA: he’s an opportunist just looking to make a buck, he couldn’t make it in his sport and can’t go anywhere else, and he’ll be obliterated by the “real fighters.”

But several UFC heavyweights MMAjunkie.com spoke to Wednesday – including Paul Buentello, Chris Tuchscherer, Pat Barry and Brendan Schaub – didn’t condemn Toney for the move. Most, in fact, had more positive things to say than negative.