Author: kmowatt

The UFC’s signing of James Toney will no doubt  further contribute to the blurring lines between boxing and mixed-martial-arts fans. One would think that even some of the most ardent boxing purists will tune in to see how a decorated boxer like Toney fairs in the Octagon (remember his warning that heads are gonna fly…). There will always of course be a rivalry between the two sports as to what’s more entertaining or bad ass (although at this point trying to argue that boxers rule fighting is like stating the world is flat), but it seems like the two sports are here to co-exist, even peacefully…at least for the time being.

Fighters Only Magazine has posted an interesting article on how UFC boss man Dana White has actually been helping boxing promoter Bob Arum (yes, the dude that not too long ago described MMA’s fanbase as “skinheads”), hype up the upcoming Mar. 13^th bout between Manny Pacquia and Joshua Clottey. According to the story, White has encouraged his loyal Twitter subjects (over a million strong) to check out the fight, and further, the report states that the UFC likely moved the original date for UFC 111, as to not compete with the boxing match. And, oh yeah, White, who will be in attendance with UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta apparently, was also giving away a few free tickets… 

Damn. That’s a far cry from the days when UFC 103 went up head-to-head against Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Marquez. See what a fragile economy and thin wallets can do? Building friendships one fight at a time…

If you’re not a boxing fan and your exposure to the sport has been solely limited to five second glimpses while channel surfing (as then you realize ‘oh sh-t this isn’t MMA’), then you’re probably picking up by now that UFC newcomer James Toney isn’t exactly known for being shy. From warning that future opponents may have their heads launched into the stands when going in for a takedown, or, that MMA legend Randy Couture is in a “lose-lose” situation if he fights the boxing champ, you can see why the UFC was willing to give Toney a go. As the Wu-Tang Clan so eloquently put it C.R.E.A.M.

This AM HDNet Fights has let the word out that Mr. Toney will appear on the network’s Inside MMA show later tonight, and in a crafty way to run up viewership, they’ve posted a sample of Toney’s latest ‘dude are you serious’ quote.

“I want Brock Lesnar,” says Toney. “I’m the heavyweight champion of the world vs. the UFC champion. That’d be a hell of a match…I’ll fight anybody you got.”

Yes, that would be a hell of an interesting fight (particularly for those who want to see Toney brutally beat down) and with reports surfacing this week that some of the recent UFC pay-per-views haven’t exactly been through the roof, some serious dough could likely be made off such a match-up. But before everyone gets ahead of themselves here (and by everyone we mean Toney) maybe the boxer should, you know, actually win a MMA fight before calling out for a title shot. But just as it was in the 90’s… C.R.E.A.M.

MMA Junkie is reporting today that renowned jiu-jitsu competitor and 2-0 MMA fighter, Roger Gracie, will make his Strikeforce debut at the promotion’s upcoming May 15^th event in St. Louis. The report states that according to “sources close to the event”, a bout between Gracie and Kevin Randleman is in the works, with Thierry Rameau Sokoudjou in the running as a second candidate.

Now if you don’t pay attention to the jiu-jitsu world you might be saying ‘so effin what’ right now, but for BJJ enthusiasts, this is big news. Roger has won enough jiu-jitsu titles to fill the mother of all trophy cases, and not with local ‘Sunnyside Lane Not Open Invitational’ medals either, we’re talking multiple ADCC World Submission Wrestling and BJJ World Championships. In MMA, Roger has gone 2-0 to date, tapping out the veterans Ron Waterman and Yuki Kondo, with the last win over Kondo coming in May, 2008.

Of course, some people might be recalling the recent ‘WTF was that?’ UFC debut of Rolles Gracie, another heralded jiu-jitsu dude that got beat down by Joey Beltran in February, after his lungs said ‘eff this, we’re done’ shortly into the second round. Although there were varying opinions as to what happened with Rolles (who was promptly cut by the UFC), not only is Roger not the same dude, clearly, but it should also be noted that his jits career has been a step above his fellow Gracie.

As we’ve noted here at MMA Fix over the last couple of weeks, the trash talk front heading into the March 27^th bout between Georges St. Pierre and Dan Hardy has been relatively quiet. Yeah, Hardy has taken the odd little jab at GSP or his fans, but nothing nowhere near the “fraggle” comments he used to describe Josh Koscheck, or the “fake Irish man” assault he threw at Marcus Davis last year (which is nothing compared to their latest ‘we’ll steer clear of’ war of words).

It will be interesting to see whether or not the outspoken Hardy takes the smack talk up a notch with GSP, during Spike’s UFC Primetime series, which is set to air over the coming weeks. Don’t expect any from GSP, however, as in an interview with Andy Blatchford of the Canadian Press, the champ makes it clear that trash talking isn’t his ‘coupe’ of tea.

“Trash talk is not my thing, there is a line I will never cross,”

 ”If he wants to cross the line then he’s going to cross it alone and I’m going to answer back with my fists in the Octagon.”

GSP does seem like the kind of guy that you don’t want to rile up (maybe it has something to do with that whole pound-for-pound contender thing). After all, in the fights where he’s appeared to be pissed off (Matt Serra rematch, second and third bouts with Matt Hughes, BJ Penn rematch), he’s been extremely thorough.

To bet on the fight, or any others at UFC 111, head here.

Now maybe you didn’t plan on checking out the upcoming March 27^th UFC 111; times are tough, cash could be on short supply, or maybe you just don’t care for the card’s line-up. If GSP vs. Dan Hardy, Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin and Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves doesn’t entice you, however, maybe it’s time to examine why you claim to like MMA.

Well if you’re a fan of beautiful brunettes and Playboy cover models, as we most definitely are, UFC 111 just got a lot more interesting. The promotion has announced that talented UFC All-Access host, Rachelle Leah, will be returning to her former gig as an Octagon Girl for the March 27^th show. That’s some sweet ass news (wink wink). Unfortunately it’s just for the 27^th. The announcement offered no info as to whether or not Octagon Girls Arianny Celeste and Chandella Powell will be in attendance.

At any rate, it will be nice to see Rachelle back in action again, and if you’re still saying ‘meh’ about UFC 111, move along.

For more fantastic pics of Rachelle and her bio head here.

Any regular reader of MMA Fix knows that Jon “Bones” Jones continues to steadily rise up our ‘Now That’s What’s Up’ index, after all, this is a guy that has tossed studs like Matt Hamill and Stephan Bonnar through the air like beach balls (not to mention flooring the latter with a spinning elbow). That’s some entertaining sh-t, and part of the reason why the 22 year-old light-heavyweight is quickly becoming one of the sport’s fastest rising commodities. If he can take out Brandon Vera on the 21^st, the “Bones” Jones bandwagon will be maxed out before your buddy can say ‘he’s always been my favorite fighter.’

The official UFC site has an interesting report posted about the All-American Greco-Roman wrestler’s training regiment; yeah, it looks difficult. Check out this sample while we duck out for KFC. 

AVERAGE DAY

1.Hang Clean (5 sets of 5 reps)

2.Barbell Push Press (8 sets of 5 reps: 30 sec. rest between sets)

3. Lying Leg Curl (6 sets of 6 reps)

4. Depth Dumbbell Snatch (4 sets of 4 reps)

5. Ring Twists (3 sets of 4 reps to each side)

6. Clean from Knees w/Jump (3 sets of 10 reps)

7. Medicine ball superset (run the cycle three times for a total of three supersets)

•    Medicine Ball Power Up (5 reps)

•    Medicine Ball Sprawl and Jump (8 reps)

•    Medicine Ball Plyo Push Up (8 reps)

8. One-Leg Straight Leg Walking Dumbbell Deadlifts (3 sets for 25 yards each)