[Mr. Sparkle]

When the UFC signed 41-year-old boxing legend James Toney to a multi-fight contract earlier this month, MMA purist wondered what company president Dana White was thinking after previously bashing rival organizations for making similar "circus act" moves.

"We sat down in my office and he said, 'I'm a proud guy, and I wouldn't do anything to embarrass myself,'" White said at last Wednesday's UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy pre-fight press conference.

Immediately after the signing, White justified his move by running down the Toney's extensive resume.

However less than four weeks after their controversial signing, White appears to have developed reservations about allowing the boxer into his Octagon.

"To be honest, I don't know why I did it," White told the Radio City Music Hall crowd. "But we did it. I did this deal and now I have to figure out what to do with him."

Plenty of names offered to roll out the MMA welcome wagon for Toney, including UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. No opponent for Toney's first MMA bout has been set as of yet.

http://www.fightline.com/fl/news/2010/0329/486598/dana-white/index.shtml

Don't worry Dana, no one knows why the f... you did it either. Just get it over with so we can all move on.

 

[G_Land]

Agreed

 

[Hammerlock2.0]

I'm glad everyone is agreeing on this subject.

 

[Hiro]

To allow Toney to make it onto the biggest MMA show there is without having a single MMA fight, while disrespecting MMA, Dana himself and some top level fighters in the process?

F*ck the money, this is meant to be a sport not some freak show.

 

[G_Land]

Just look at the fighters comming up in the next TUF ...there are guys with a ton of experience in mma and they still have to go through the ropes...I think Dana didnt want Toney to get snatched up by SF

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Al least when I buy a shirt that some cute sales clerk has told me looks good and I take it home and realize that I look like an idiot I can take it back for a refund. I am not forced to wear it out in public while explaining to everyone that, "I don't know why I bought this".

 

[G_Land]

Yeah but I doubt that store will slap a multi million dollar court case on ya for having buyers remorce

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

Yeah but I doubt that store will slap a multi million dollar court case on ya for having buyers remorce

Might be worth it if the shirt is as ugly as James Toney.

 

[G_Land]

touché

 

[Soojooko]

I'm sure theres nothing in the contract that says his fight has to be televised. In fact, I would wager a clause that says if Toney is clearly uncompetitive and gets crushed then the contract can be terminated.

If Dana really hates the shirt, then wear it during the undercard during a non-televised fight. No one will see. Who cares.

Putting him straight on the main card is a massive risk. Please please please dont do that Dana.

 

[Spec0688]

Just toss him to Randy, he already said he wanted to fight him. You know Randy will implement a good gameplan to show him what MMA is all about.

I hope Dana doesnt toss him a striker just for the show, dont make it into a boxing match.

 

[Soojooko]

Just toss him to Randy, he already said he wanted to fight him. You know Randy will implement a good gameplan to show him what MMA is all about.

I hope Dana doesnt toss him a striker just for the show, dont make it into a boxing match.

Problem is Randy is too high profile. If the obvious happens and Randy demolishes him, the world will be watching. Its embarrassing. Freak show. For me, my curiosity extends as far as Toney in with some low level grappler to see how that goes. As far as seeing him against a top guy? No. Not really. Could be funny, I admit... but mostly it'll be shameful.

 

[jonnyg4508]

Frank Mir

 

[Spec0688]

Frank Mir

why? he would probably quit MMA after being KTFO

 

[Rusko]

for PPV's why else?

everybody wants to see Tony's knock out or rather submitted

 

[prolyfic]

Its kinda of like this.......

Dana after a night out:drink02:...thinks...HMMM James Toney...he was kinda good....he has been talking trash about mma and this could be an opportunity to shut up some boxing critics and boxers while cashing in on a big name.....(cut to dana signing toney.....1 week later)...wait Toney is 41!:sign04:... He has not ground game, so giving him a ground guy will give him have an excuse and prove nothing :angry04:....and if I give him a stand up guy he could win and the flood gates would open:doh01:....what have I done...:sign03:

 

[Ground'N'Pound5]

^ rep for truth


...denial is the first stage dana

 

[Machida Karate]

...denial is the first stage dana

lol yes it is

 

[alizio]

damn, if James Toney was following me around i would sign him up to a cheeseburger meal or w/e the hell he was bugging me about too.

that dude would kill your social life.... taking your girl out... "who is that scary black dude following us around mumbling nonsense about world titles???"

 

[Sekou]

Put him on the main card against Gilbery Yvel :thumbsup: