According to reports this afternoon, 41 year-old boxing champion James Toney, has signed a multi-fight agreement with the UFC (no, you didn’t just awake from a coma and it’s April Fool’s Day). Five Ounces of Pain was first to report the news and MMA Fighting is reporting that Dana White has confirmed the signing with the outlet. The UFC President also apparently informed MMA Fighting that he has “no idea” as to when Toney will make his MMA debut.
Due to the fact that Toney has competed at heavyweight over the last couple of years, and is currently listed as the NABO and IBA champ at that weight, one would think that things are going to get even more interesting in the UFC heavyweight division. We’re also thinking that the UFC probably has a healthy line-up of potential opponents forming, particularly dudes with extensive wrestling backgrounds, yelling ‘pick me, pick me.’’
In a follow up report from Sherdog, apparently Toney has been training with Rampage Jackson’s former trainer, Juanito Ibarra, getting a few ‘cage fightin’ pointers. This should be interesting….