When Dana White decided to sign James Toney to a UFC contract, there were a few MMA pundits of the ‘purist’ mentality that didn’t care for the deal. After all, White had always maintained that he would never get lulled into such a fight, one of the ‘freak show’ variety, where a dude with next to no MMA training comes in only to get drubbed (see Don Caras Jr. vs. Mirko “Cro Cop”- yes “Junior’s” wearing a wrestler’s mask but the bout, particularly the finish, is very, very, real…)
While Toney has been talking a big game and fake dialling 911, it was interesting to see WBO Heavyweight Champion David Haye say this week that “the wrestling aspect (in MMA) ruins your punching power” and that Toney is “delusional” for thinking he’ll beat Randy Couture. When Dana White was asked to comment on Haye’s comments while conducting an interview on 106.7 The Fan, he stated (thanks to Bloody Elbow):
“He is very right. It’s a freak show. I said I’d never put on a freak show fight and I’m doing it. Listen, this guy [Toney] chased me around the country saying bad things about the sport. If he wants to get his ass whooped, I’m gonna let him.”… “Here’s what I expect; the bell rings, they come to the center of the Octagon, circle each other for a little bit, Randy double legs him, puts him against the fence, squashes his head and the fight is over.”
White went on to say that Toney has a puncher’s chance, and could catch Couture, “God forbid.” Yes. That wouldn’t be good. To read more of the interview head here.