Filed under: Fighting, UFCBy his mere presence, Brock Lesnar found a way to change the game in the UFC’s heavyweight division. A weight class that had previously been big on quickness and/or power striking (think Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski and Tim …
By his mere presence, Brock Lesnar found a way to change the game in the UFC’s heavyweight division. A weight class that had previously been big on quickness and/or power striking (think Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia), suddenly became the domain of mega-heavyweights who cut to make the 265-pound limit and mauled their opponents with strength and wrestling.
But just when you think you know exactly what you’re in for with Lesnar, the UFC heavyweight champion has gone and if not reinvented, at least retooled his attack.
Speaking today about his upcoming UFC 116 championship title defense against Shane Carwin following a year away, Lesnar told reporters on a conference call that he’d dropped weight, added a new striking coach and focused heavily on his strength and conditioning.
(Props: FearNo12012)
…okay, he doesn’t really call 911. He pretends to, as part of an improvisational comedy routine titled "Randy Couture, I’mma Beatcho Ass." It’s kind of amazing, actually, and a lot more focused than Toney’s previou…
…okay, he doesn’t really call 911. He pretends to, as part of an improvisational comedy routine titled "Randy Couture, I’mma Beatcho Ass." It’s kind of amazing, actually, and a lot more focused than Toney’s previous insane YouTube callout efforts. See, when Frank Mir threatens to kill somebody in the Octagon, he loses his WEC color-man gig and is forced to apologize to Brock Lesnar. When James "Lights Out" Toney does it? Pure magic.
Of course, there are a few other things that stand out in the video. First off, Toney is training at the M-1 Global gym in Chatsworth, California — which puts the Dark Emperor just one degree of separation away from the Last Emperor — and yeah, that’s Juanito Ibarra creeping around back there. Toney also mentions that he has a boxing match scheduled against WBA heavyweight champ David Haye on October 1st, just five weeks after the Couture fight at UFC 118. Talk about optimistic. And yes, Toney plans on murdering Haye as well. And getting away with it. And getting paid for it. A lotta money. Mucho dinero. Mucho mugambo. Mmm.
After the jump: Even more of James Toney shouting at a hand-held camera.
Remember when Frank Mir stated in a radio interview that he wanted to break Brock Lesnar’s neck, so that the heavyweight champ would “be the first person that dies due to Octagon-related injuries”? Well, if you’re an avid MMA fan / regular ‘internet browser’ and don’t remember that, immediately find an emergency room, as you should […]
Remember when Frank Mir stated in a radio interview that he wanted to break Brock Lesnar’s neck, so that the heavyweight champ would “be the first person that dies due to Octagon-related injuries”? Well, if you’re an avid MMA fan / regular ‘internet browser’ and don’t remember that, immediately find an emergency room, as you should recall that those comments prompted a firestorm of coverage.
Of course, at the time, there were some who pointed out that Mir’s comments weren’t really anything new to the sport, and approve of them or not, future similar statements were inevitable. Cue James Toney– now granted, in the video the boxing champ turned MMA fighter is clearly clowning around on some dude’s phone (and here’s hoping it still works after being drenched in sweat…), but here too, the charismatic fighter states that he plans on “murdering” UFC 118 opponent Randy Couture (he also threatens David Haye– who he’s boxing in October). Toney adds that “he’ll murder two people in three months and get away with it, and get paid for it; a lot of money.”
So, is this cause to lose one’s mind with righteous anger, at the audacity of Toney stating he’s going to “murder” people in the ring / cage? Or is it just the crazy, over-the-top, pre-fight antics of a fighter trying to hype a PPV bout? So whatever- let’s move on? We’re expecting both reactions.
Filed under: UFCA lot of old-school boxing guys seize on every opportunity they get to take shots at mixed martial arts, but Freddie Roach isn’t one of those old-school boxing guys. Roach likes MMA, has trained and cornered MMA fighters, and thinks the…
A lot of old-school boxing guys seize on every opportunity they get to take shots at mixed martial arts, but Freddie Roach isn’t one of those old-school boxing guys. Roach likes MMA, has trained and cornered MMA fighters, and thinks the two sports can coexist peacefully.
So when Roach throws out a criticism of the UFC — as he did when asked about the upcoming fight between former UFC champion Randy Couture and former boxing champion James Toney — it can’t be dismissed in the way tired criticisms from so many old-school boxing guys can be.
(Props: XCMMA)
As he prepares for his July 3rd showdown with Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar has joined forces with a somewhat unlikely ally — Randy Couture, who Lesnar wrecked in his first UFC title fight back in November 2008. The two heavyweig…
As he prepares for his July 3rd showdown with Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar has joined forces with a somewhat unlikely ally — Randy Couture, who Lesnar wrecked in his first UFC title fight back in November 2008. The two heavyweight stars stayed friendly after their meeting in the Octagon, and Couture recently decided to head up to Alexandria, Minnesota, to train at Lesnar’s private Death Clutch training facility; you know, the one with all the badass tigers and jacked gladiators on the walls and shit.
Last week, before a one armed Rich Franklin (for all intensive and dramatic purposes) crushed the hopes of “Iceman” fans everywhere, we passed along word that said James Toney was taking his sweet ass time to sign the bout agreement for his UFC 118 (which prompted several Fix staffers to go into hysterics). Of course, […]
Last week, before a one armed Rich Franklin (for all intensive and dramatic purposes) crushed the hopes of “Iceman” fans everywhere, we passed along word that said James Toney was taking his sweet ass time to sign the bout agreement for his UFC 118 (which prompted several Fix staffers to go into hysterics). Of course, if you’ve even turned on your computer over the last few weeks, you’re more than aware that the charismatic boxer / soon to be MMA fighter, is supposed to fight Randy Couture at the August 28th event in Boston.
Well according to Dana White this past weekend, all this speculation about Toney possibly waffling is grade A bs, as the UFC boss man not only confirmed the fight to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, MMA Junkie is also reporting that the fight is set. If you’re a huge or old school MMA fan, who’s grown desperately tired of debating with boxing purists that MMA fighter’s aren’t legit, let the Mr. Burns saying ‘excellent’ impersonations fly.
So, there you have it, and with the rematch between BJ Penn and newly minted lightweight champ Frankie Edgar scheduled as the headliner, Boston’s made out pretty good on this thing huh?
By his mere presence, Brock Lesnar found a way to change the game in the UFC’s heavyweight division. A weight class that had previously been big on quickness and/or power striking (think Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia), suddenly became the domain of mega-heavyweights who cut to make the 265-pound limit and mauled their opponents with strength and wrestling.
