The Mac
04-25-2010, 09:41 AM
UFC legend Randy Couture will apparently get his wish.
"The Natural" has been openly campaigning for a chance to welcome pro boxer James Toney to the world of MMA, and UFC president Dana White on Saturday night admitted he's willing to let Couture have his shot.
Following the evening's "Aldo vs. Faber" post-event press conference, White told a small group of reporters that he was in the process of finalizing a bout between Couture and Toney for the organization's first-ever trip to Boston.
"It's not a done deal yet," White said. "But yeah, I'm working on that."
White confirmed he hopes to arrange the bout for the as-yet-unannounced UFC 118 event, which is expected to take place Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston.
Toney, 41, won a UFC contract in early March after a protracted trash-talk campaign against UFC president Dana White and several mixed martial arts fighters. The former boxing champion sought the guidance of boxing and MMA coach Juanito Ibarra and at several points welcomed a fight with Couture (though he called out virtually every MMA star he could name).
Couture, 46, railroaded fellow UFC Hall of Fame member Mark Coleman in his most recent performance at UFC 109. The win shook off controversy that lingered after his prior appearance, a close decision victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 105 this past November
"The Natural" has been openly campaigning for a chance to welcome pro boxer James Toney to the world of MMA, and UFC president Dana White on Saturday night admitted he's willing to let Couture have his shot.
Following the evening's "Aldo vs. Faber" post-event press conference, White told a small group of reporters that he was in the process of finalizing a bout between Couture and Toney for the organization's first-ever trip to Boston.
"It's not a done deal yet," White said. "But yeah, I'm working on that."
White confirmed he hopes to arrange the bout for the as-yet-unannounced UFC 118 event, which is expected to take place Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston.
Toney, 41, won a UFC contract in early March after a protracted trash-talk campaign against UFC president Dana White and several mixed martial arts fighters. The former boxing champion sought the guidance of boxing and MMA coach Juanito Ibarra and at several points welcomed a fight with Couture (though he called out virtually every MMA star he could name).
Couture, 46, railroaded fellow UFC Hall of Fame member Mark Coleman in his most recent performance at UFC 109. The win shook off controversy that lingered after his prior appearance, a close decision victory over Brandon Vera at UFC 105 this past November