Since news surfaced that renowned boxer (and talker) James Toney had signed with the UFC, there has been varying opinions offered, as to how the 41 year-old-fighter will fair when he makes his MMA debut. Of course, it will all depend on how serious Toney takes this whole ‘cage fighting’ thing, and despite comments that he’s going to send “heads into orbit” (an effective way to counter the takedown or any human activity for that matter), if he doesn’t train in all aspects of MMA somewhat he’ll probably get schooled.
Toney has reportedly been doing some training with noted striking coach Juanito Ibarra, who if you just pay passing attention to MMA, he was the dude with the hat that was always with “Rampage” Jackson (although no longer). At any rate, Mr. Ibarra knows a thing or two about fighting, and although cynics will say he has a vested interest in hyping up Toney, the veteran trainer told Fight Hype that he’s expecting big things out of the boxer.
“He’s a workhorse and I have a good team behind me as always, and I truly believe we’re going to shock the world. When we are ready to fight I believe people will see that James Toney is for real, and I won’t be surprised but I think the world will be surprised.”
Want evidence? Ibarra goes on to say that Toney threw a head kick at him the other day. Wow. If he busts out the gogoplata then people will really start talking.