A match-up pitting former two division UFC champion Randy Couture against multi division boxing champion James Toney is set to be announced very soon. According to Couture who was recently on MMA Weekly Radio, he will take on Toney at UFC 118 which is scheduled to take place in Boston sometime this August.
UFC 118 will mark the organizations first foray into Beantown and it seems they are intent on leaving a lasting impression. Along with the Couture-Toney fight fans will be treated to a rematch for the UFC lightweight championship. Frankie Edgar will defend the title he won at UFC 112 against the man he took it from, BJ Penn. Also scheduled for that night is a battle to determine the number one contender in the UFC lightweight division as hometown hero Kenny Florian takes on the undefeated Gray Maynard.
Couture stated that it is his preference for the fight with Toney to be contested at the light heavyweight limit of 205lbs but he is open to fighting as a heavyweight if that suits Toney. Couture has fought guys much bigger than himself with the prime example being current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar who went into their November 2009 bout with at least a 60lb weight advantage.
Couture is an interesting first opponent for Toney as he is one of the games better tacticians and should have no problem taking Toney down at will. It should be interesting to see how Toney fights off his back as he has absolutely no wrestling or grappling experience. He is currently training with former Quinton Jackson trainer Juanito Ibarra.