UFC 118: Why James Toney will win vs. Why Randy Couture will Win

The idea of a high-level boxer, even one a little over the hill, entering the Octagon is exciting. The UFC and MMA was born on the style match ups and now here it is in 2010 and we have a boxer against a wrestler.

Speaking of the year, it is a reason why James Toney will pull off the shocking victory. Randy Couture came into this world on June 22, 1963. He’s 47 freaking years old. I know we see him as the ageless wonder, but now it is time for age to catch up with him. Add to this fact that he is fighting a guy who uses his hands better than any man Randy has ever fought and he is sure to get his head bounced around before he can shoot in and take Toney to the canvas. One big shot, a discombobulated Randy, and the wrestling won’t matter. Toney will punch his way to the first round win.

Then again...

Randy is old, but his age hasn’t hurt him and it won’t tonight, especially because he’s fighting an over the hill boxer who is just five years his younger and has no business in the Octagon. James Toney has never even been in the Octagon. It’s been Randy’s home for almost 15 years. He’s going to dump Toney on his head and then do whatever he wants on the ground. James Toney is not in shape, Randy is a cardio machine. Once he gets Toney on the ground he’ll do whatever he wants as Toney flops about. The fight will last as long as Randy wants it to last. He can submit Toney in the first couple minutes or take his time and pound away to a stoppage.

Which scenario is more plausible?

I’m going with scenario number two. Randy is going to remind everyone why mixed martial arts is a sport that requires training in multiple disciplines. No matter how good a boxer is, he can’t jump into the Octagon and expect to be successful. Of course James could prove a lot of us wrong, that’s why we’re going to watch right?