By Joe Ferraro
After previously announcing that Kimbo Slice was to take on Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 in Montreal, the two former Ultimate Fighter Season Ten contestants are mysteriously missing from the events webpage. Could the recent signing of James “Lights Out” Toney have anything to do with it.
Many signs are pointing to “Yes” as it seem to appear the bout may be replaced with a Kimbo vs Toney matchup, May 01st at The Bell Centre in Montreal.
When I interviewed UFC President Dana White and James Toney at the UFC 108 Post Fight Press Conference “Lights Out” made it clear he wanted the former YouTube street brawler as a potential opponent.
When referring to White’s roster of athletes, Toney stated “He got Simba, I mean Kimba…Kimbo? That’s a side show and we’ll put him out of the way too”.A proposed match up between the two fighters has yet to be announced but with White recently stating that the forty-one year old Toney will fight at light heavyweight, a division that Kimbo has never competed in. During his last bout, Slice fought Houston Alexander at catchweight of 215 lbs, and was visibly exhausted going into the third round, ending the bout with his hands on his knees.
Should the bout be added to the UFC 115 card, it would join a stellar main event featuring the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between title holder Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and challenger Maurico “Shogun” Rua, as well as current co-main event between welterweight contenders Josh “Kos” Koscheck and Paul “Semtex” Daley.
Toney is currently preparing for his MMA debut under the tutelage of Juanito Ibarra, the former head trainer for former 205 lbs champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Will Ibarra be able to put together a team and camp that can prep Toney for the new world that is MMA, remains to be seen. Kimbo, by no stretch is a world class mixed martial artist, but he is further ahead of the game that Toney, a boxer who has never had to defend a leg kick, takedown or any submissions. Slice would be a great test for the current NABO and IBA Heavyweight Champion, but at his age, it’s obvious his MMA career will only last so long.
Whether this fight happens in Montreal, Vegas or even at all, when James Toney makes his UFC debut, the whole combats sports world will be watching. And with his gift of gab, Toney will be sure that you hear about it loud and clear.
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i think toney is a joke, and an insult to someone like couture. here’s to captain america knocking toney out!
- Truman Rudat