HDNET’S “INSIDE MMA” BREAKS DOWN UFC 118 WITH TONEY, COUTURE, AND EDGAR; PLUS A REPLAY OF WHAT COULD BE THE FIGHT OF THE YEAR

Toney-Couture should be among The Expendables

By Norm Frauenheim

A couple of pretty good actors are scheduled for a fight that will match them Saturday night in Boston in a mixed mess of boxing, wrestling, checkers, chess, apples and oranges. I’m not exactly sure what all Randy Couture and James Toney will be doing. I just wish they weren’t doing it.

The Expendables, with a cast that includes Couture in a major role, is a hit, an entertaining few hours of fiction during a long summer when Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. is still just a fantasy. But it would have been a relief if the film turned into reality and Toney-Couture was made expendable long before it ever happened.  This is no knock on the movie or Couture or Toney, a former middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight champion who was convincing as Joe Frazier in the 2001 film Ali.

In some corners, this so-called fight– Toney the boxer versus Couture the UFC legend — is being portrayed as a final judgment on whether the art in the martial mix is sweeter than anything in boxing’s traditional science. Please, Toney is 42 and Couture is 47. Give the winner an AARP belt or a shot at Evander Holyfield, but don’t take this more seriously than anything you might see in a parking lot after last call.

Other than Toney, everybody thinks Couture wins easily because he has the home-cage advantage. He knows his way around the chain-link fence, unlike Toney, who knows all about clinching, but won’t be able to trash-talk his way out of Couture’s Greco-Roman education. Toney figures to have his feet taken out from under him and find himself flat on his back not long after the circus begins.

So what?

This mismatch of mixed skill has never been known to go far or prove much. On the scale of significance, it belongs right there, alongside Mayweather-versus-Big Show.

Three years ago, former heavyweight Tommy Morrison tried a version of mixed martial arts in a show with rules written to favor his punching power. Against an unknown, Morrison was allowed to wear shoes against his bare-footed opponent in at a casino on Apache land in Northern Arizona. Like Toney, Morrison bragged about how dangerous his punches would be in the four-ounce gloves worn by MMA fighters.

But Morrison never got much of a chance to land the power that made him a dangerous heavyweight. He got shoved around the cage, looking trapped and panicked. He was declared the winner, although it was hard to tell.  He needed those shoes to run out of the cage and into a waiting van, never heard from again.

The crowd, MMA partisans, booed Morrison and a show without winners.

Expendable then.    Expendable now.

NOTES, ANECDOTES

·         Jose Sulaiman, president of the Mexico City-based World Boxing Council, threatened to suspend lightweight Genaro Trazancos and featherweight Adolfo Landeros for fighting last Friday in Tucson in defiance of a declaration that the WBC would not authorize Mexicans to box in Arizona because of the state’s tough new immigration law. Trazancos and Landeros said they were in Arizona only to make a living. If Sulaiman is serious and not just grandstanding, he would pay the fighters the purses that they would forfeit if they didn’t fight in Arizona. The WBC has been taking money in the form of sanction fees out of  fighters’ pockets for years.

·         Despite Sulaiman’s threats, Don Chargin, last Friday’s promoter at Casino Del Sol, plans to stage another card on Tucson property on Sept 24 or Oct. 1. Despite controversy over the immigration legislation, Chargin says that Arizona will continue to be an important boxing market. He points out that Roger Mtagwa’s dramatic 10^th-round stoppage of Tomas Villa in a featherweight bout at Casino Del Sol was a contender for Fight-of-the-Year honors in 2008

UFC® STARS PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF COUTURE VS. TONEY

TRAINERS AND OTHER BOXERS WEIGH IN AS WELL

TONEY MAKES UFC DEBUT LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW ON AUG. 28

AGAINST HALL OF FAMER RANDY COUTURE

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – With the sports world buzzing about the UFC debut of former world boxing champion James Toney, some of the biggest names in boxing and MMA have come together to offer their opinions on his epic fight with Hall of Famer Randy Couture on Aug. 28. Before the two legends lock horns inside the Octagon^® at TD Garden in Boston live on Pay-Per-View, we take a look at the thoughts, opinions, and predictions of some of the world’s finest fighters and personalities.

UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis

Prediction: Couture by Decision

“It would be great for a guy like James Toney to build a name for himself in MMA but I’m going to have to go with Couture because of the cage experience that he has. It should be an entertaining fight. I feel like it could go the distance. I’m going to say it will go three rounds and Couture will win 29-28.”

Andre Berto – WBC welterweight champion – father Dieusel Berto fought in UFC 10

“I think it’s going be a good fight. Everybody knows Randy is not gonna stand up with James. If he does, it will be a short night. Most likely Randy is going to try to take James down and try to submit him so UFC can be glorified that they’re better than boxing. Hopefully James Toney has been working on his wrestling and ground skills. If so, it’ll be very entertaining.”

“Terrible” Terry Norris – Former world junior middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king

“I just wish James luck and may the best man win. We know if it was just straight up boxing, James would knock Couture out, but James is fighting Couture’s fight and he’ll have his hands full.”

Dan Hardy, UFC Welterweight

“I respect him greatly as a boxer, and I admire him for backing up his words by actually stepping into the Octagon. Floyd Mayweather talked a ton of crap about UFC fighters, but he ultimately didn’t have the balls to come and back his big mouth up. James Toney does have balls.”

WEC featherweight Chad Mendes

Prediction: Couture by TKO

“Randy Couture will win this fight. I think he’ll win by first-round TKO.”

Miguel Cotto – reigning WBA junior middleweight champion

Prediction: Couture

“Two great fighters, one trained in MMA and one in boxing. In a boxing match, I give it to Toney and in an MMA fight; I have to go with the MMA fighter (Couture).”

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans

“(Toney’s) inside fighting capabilities could serve him well given Randy Couture’s clinch game. Look at the Frank Mir and Shane Carwin fight – most of the damage was done to Frank Mir against the cage. But if you get a guy like James Toney who knows how to strike off the cage, and who makes a living with inside fighting … I think that could lend some promise to James Toney. It could be a short night if a guy like James Toney lands one of those shots on the inside. He’s definitely the best true boxer out there in the UFC.”

Greg Haugen – former world lightweight champion – fought Vinny Pazienza, Ray Mancini, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Pernell Whitaker

Prediction: Toney

“Unless Toney is fat and out of shape, he will destroy Randy. His standup game is way too strong for him. Remember, James is one of the most skilled guys out there if he is in good shape.”

Michael Bisping, UFC Middleweight

“I can’t wait to see it to be honest. Can Randy double-leg him inside 10 seconds and do a number on him? Of course he can. But what if Toney lands one shot? That’s what makes this so interesting. What if?”

Paulie Malignaggi – Former world junior welterweight boxing champion

Prediction: Couture

“The problem is, most boxers, even in their prime, would not last in MMA. These guys know how to grapple and kick, and the same could be said the opposite way – no MMA guy is gonna last in the ring with a boxer if they’re boxing. You’re going into somebody else’s domain.  And not that Couture is a spring chicken, but if you look at James Toney, he’s always a guy who’s been a close-range fighter – shoulder rolls, dips, counterpunches. He never really had an outside game that was so special. He had slow feet and was plodding, but he had good upper body movement. You can’t do that in MMA, especially with Couture, who was a Greco-Roman wrestler.  He’ll just wrestle him, take him down, choke him or ground and pound him. I don’t see how James Toney can win the fight, even if Couture is the older guy, but the best to both guys.”

WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan

Prediction: Couture

“Toney has to make his punch count right away, but Couture will be watching for that. In any fight, you need a plan B and I don’t think Toney has one in a UFC fight.”

UFC welterweight Carlos Condit

Prediction: Couture

“Wrestling will be the dominant force in this fight, regardless of how well James Toney can punch or how hard he can hit. He won’t be able to set up his shots like he would in boxing, and Randy Couture is the kind of fighter to capitalise on every little mistake he makes. Randy has made a whole career out of overcoming opponents with tactics and strategies, and Toney will probably be his easiest puzzle yet. We all know Toney has only his punching to fall back on, so Randy won’t have to work too hard to grab a hold of him and get him in his domain. Couture’s too experienced and too good at what he does.”

Sechew Powell – Number one IBF junior middleweight contender

“I think if James can keep the fight on his feet he has a decent chance, but the minute they take the fight to the ground it’s over.”

WEC bantamweight contender Joseph Benavidez

Prediction: Couture by TKO

“James Toney is just a boxer and MMA is a whole different sport. Your skills go down in boxing when you’re worried about being taken down. I don’t think someone can come in with just one background and fight a world-class MMA fighter.”

WBA heavyweight champion David Haye

Prediction: Couture via submission

“I admire Toney’s courage, but six months of training isn’t going to be enough. As a UFC fan, I know two or three years wouldn’t be enough. He’s delusional here. Couture isn’t only going to end his UFC career inside a minute, he is most likely going to break James’s arm or leg and end his boxing career too.”

Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin – Women’s boxing pioneer

Prediction: Couture

“I have never watched a UFC Pay-Per-View event, but I will be watching JT. I want James to win, but he’s stepping into Couture’s domain, therefore I think it will be Couture stopping James with his ground game.”

Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes – Former IBF super featherweight champion

“It’s an interesting matchup. I think the question for Toney is, is he insane or is he a genius? He’s not taking on a regular MMA fighter; he’s taking on a legend in every sense of the word, but not only that, he’s doing it in Couture’s discipline and that takes guts. If Toney is successful, then he has opened up a whole new avenue for himself and other boxers to go into MMA. Toney has always been a risk taker and he’s fearless, and for that I root for him to do well. But I also love Captain America (Couture) because he’s from my birthplace of Oregon and has done great things in the sport. I hope it’s a good match.”

Steve Cunningham – IBF cruiserweight champion

Prediction: Couture

“Toney’s got a puncher’s chance, but this isn’t boxing, and Couture’s not gonna stand and trade punches with him. This is Randy’s sport and I see him winning. Plus, he should be extra fueled to win this fight because of the disrespect from Toney, but I hope it’s an awesome fight either way.”

UFC welterweight Nick Ozipczak

Prediction: Couture

“I’m just going to say what everybody’s thinking, and that’s that Toney only has a puncher’s chance here. That puncher’s chance will only last in the opening thirty seconds of the fight, too. Unless Toney lands something significant on Couture early, he’ll be taken down and it will be a definite first-round stoppage for ‘The Natural’. I can see Couture winning either via ground-and-pound for by submission but, whatever it is, it will happen early. If a miracle happens and Toney gets back to his feet at any stage, he’ll then find his punches won’t have much sting on them, as he hasn’t developed the muscles in his arms to cope with the grappling aspect and then the punching.”

UFC middleweight Patrick Cote

Prediction: Couture

“If Randy underestimates his boxing skills it would be a big mistake. But how is James Toney going to react to wearing 4-ounce gloves because he’s used to the bigger gloves in boxing? He has some skills and he has punching power, but in MMA you have to be well-rounded so I think Randy will be too much for him.”

Fres Oquendo – heavyweight boxing contender – lost 12 round split decision to Toney in 2008

“James’ only chance is if he connects clean on Randy’s chin like Ray Mercer did against former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia. If not, I see Randy taking James down and that will be the beginning of the end of James’ MMA debut. Number one, because James has no legs, as I showed the world when we fought, and two, he has no ground game experience, which gives Randy the edge.”

UFC lightweight Terry Etim

Prediction: Couture

“James Toney was a fantastic boxer, and one of the best to ever do it, but he’s a novice mixed martial artist. That’s the key in this fight and the reason why Randy Couture will dominate him. Toney probably still has one danger shot which can switch Randy’s lights out, but the likelihood is he won’t be in any position to land it at any stage in the fight. As soon as Randy gets a hold of him, the fight’s pretty much over. Randy won’t be foolish enough to stand and box with a guy like Toney, so he’ll be looking for his comfort zone from the off. Randy is the worst kind of opponent for Toney, because he’s a veteran guy, very experienced and knows how to execute game plans.”

WEC bantamweight contender Scott Jorgensen

Prediction: Couture by TKO

“I’m a wrestler, man. Couture is going to double leg him, take him down and beat him until he taps to strikes. It’ll be Couture by first-round ground-and-pound. I’d like to see Randy drag it out for three rounds but I don’t think Toney has the heart for that.”

Former two-weight boxing champion Ricky Hatton

Prediction: Toney within a minute or Couture

“James has a very good sense of timing, so there’s a chance he will land the one shot he needs and score a win right away. But, having been ringside at Randy’s fight with the much bigger Brock Lesnar, I think it is almost certain Couture will be able to maul Toney to the fence, take him down, and finish him there.”

UFC lightweight Paul Kelly

Prediction: Couture

“It’s Randy Couture all the way for me, as I’m a massive fan of Randy and the way he goes about his work. He’s been an inspiration to me for many years, and I can’t see how James Toney walks into mixed martial arts and beats one of its greatest fighters. There’s no doubt Toney is a great fighter in his own right, as a boxer, but he’s done nothing so far as a mixed martial artist. Couture, on the other hand, has done it all and has experienced every single situation you can possibly confront in the Octagon. This sport is all new to Toney. He may have had nearly 100 boxing matches, but he hasn’t had one MMA match. I see Randy taking him down and finishing him quickly and in devastating fashion.”

Former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown

Prediction: Couture by submission

“Randy by rear-naked choke in the first round”

UFC lightweight Andre Winner

Prediction: Couture

“I’ve been reading quotes from Toney on forums and websites, and he’s saying he’s going to come out in a normal boxing stance and won’t change his game at all. If that’s the case, unless he catches Randy very early on, he’s just going to end up on his back. If he’s not willing to learn or adapt, he’ll get pummelled. I think he’s a great boxer, but my money is on Randy, so long as he plays it smart and exposes Toney’s weaknesses. If they get into a clinch, Toney will struggle with Randy’s sheer strength and size. Toney’s a big guy, but he never started out as a big guy, and has gradually put on a lot of weight, but it’s fat weight. Randy’s a decent-sized guy and has that natural grappling strength that all great wrestlers I have. I believe that will shock Toney on the night.”

Jeff Mayweather – Renowned trainer and former pro boxer

“I think it should be interesting. Toney has the advantage in a stand up match, but if he gets taken down Couture should win because he has way too much experience. I heard Toney was working with a top grappler and doing real well but I don’t think you can take a crash course in something like that and perfect it. And vice versa, there’s no way Couture could become a great boxer overnight, so I think a lot will be determined after the very first blow. I will be watching it for sure and I’m pulling for James Toney because I know him personally, not because he’s a boxer. These are two different sports and I think that they both have their own fanbase, but the two of them combined will make this a huge event.”

WEC bantamweight Brad Pickett

Prediction: Couture by TKO

“Obviously Randy Couture will win by first-round TKO. He’s a wise, old dog and he won’t try to prove any points on his feet. He’s going to close the distance, push him against the cage and take him down, mount him and win by ground-and-pound. Now, it’s a funny game and things can happen but if I was going to bet my house on it that’s what I think will happen.”

Australian boxing champion Danny Green

Prediction: Couture

“Toney is a slow starter and Randy will tear him apart.”

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^® – www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC^® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world.  UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 130 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.  Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym^™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo^™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, Ultimate Fighting^®, UFC^®, The Ultimate Fighter^®, Submission^®, As Real As It Gets^®, Zuffa^®, The Octagon^™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

Randy “The Natural” Couture Announced As Primary Host of Upcoming 2010 World Mixed Martial Arts Awards

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP®CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR UFC® 118: EDGAR vs. PENN 2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010

DEMIAN MAIA vs. MARIO MIRANDA

NATE DIAZ vs. MARCUS DAVIS

JOE LAUZON vs. GABE RUEDIGER

ANDRE WINNER vs. NIK LENTZ

DAN MILLER vs. JOHN SALTER

NICK OSIPCZAK vs. GREG SOTO

MIKE PIERCE vs. AMILCAR ALVES

Live from the TD Banknorth Garden – Boston, MA

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The highly anticipated lightweight championship rematch between Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn will conclude an explosive fight card for the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 118 in Boston, Massachusetts. The title fight will round out a card that features former three-division world boxing champion James “Lights Out” Toney making his MMA debut against UFC Hall of Famer Randy “The Natural” Couture. Also featured on the card is a lightweight matchup that has the makings to be Fight of the Night, as Massachusetts native Kenny Florian is pegged to battle undefeated Gray Maynard.

UFC 118 is available live on Pay-Per-View at 10pm ET/7pm PT on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available). UFC 118 will also be available on Pay-Per-View in Spanish in the United States.

The remaining unannounced undercard bouts feature the following matchups: Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda, Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis, Joe Lauzon vs. Gabe Ruediger, Andre Winner vs. Nik Lentz, Dan Miller vs. John Salter, Nick Osipczak vs. Greg Soto, and Mike Pierce vs. Amilcar Alves.

Originally, Demian Maia (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil/12-2) was scheduled to headline The Ultimate Fight Night^® in Austin, Texas, before his opponent Alan Belcher withdrew due to an eye injury. Maia is now featured on the main card for UFC 118, his first fight since taking Anderson Silva all five rounds at UFC 112. The former No. 1 contender is now set to battle his way back to the top, starting with Mario Miranda (fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/12-1). The relative newcomer to the UFC has two fights with the organization, most recently a TKO victory over the highly-respected veteran David Loiseau.

The Ultimate Fighter^® season five winner Nate Diaz (fighting out of Stockton, Calif./12-5) has been victorious in two of his last three fights, defeating Melvin Guillard and Rory Markham. The young fighter has already compiled 14 fights in WEC and UFC, becoming a professional fighter directly out of high school. A similar path was taken by his opponent, Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis (fighting out of Bangor, Maine/22-7) who became a professional boxer at the age of 18. The southpaw’s 14^th appearance in the Octagon will be close to home, as Davis trains with Mark DellaGrotte in Somerville, Mass.

UFC 118 will have a special significance to Massachusetts native Joe Lauzon (fighting out of Bridgewater, Mass./17-5) who will be fighting near his hometown and against his former teammate on The Ultimate Fighter season five. The submission specialist has garnered five victories in the UFC, with his first dating back to 2006 when he knocked-out Jens Pulver. Originally scheduled to face Terry Etim, Lauzon will have to amend his strategy as he will now fight submission specialist Gabe “Godzilla” Ruediger (fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./17-5). The former WEC^® lightweight champion had a short stay on the reality show, but makes his return to the UFC after securing a six fight win streak outside of the organization.

On the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter, Andre Winner (fighting out of Nottingham, England/12-3-1) fought his way to the finale and battled fellow England native Ross Pearson. Winner was unable to secure the six figure contract, but he has since been on the winning end of his last two fights, giving him a record of 2-1 in the UFC.  Also with three fights in the organization, Nik Lentz (fighting out of Eden Prairie, Minn./20-3-2) is unbeaten in his short UFC career, obtaining two victories and one draw. His good takedown defense is a direct result of his collegiate wrestling background at the University of Minnesota and his endurance has yet to be questioned as all three of his victories within the UFC have gone the distance.

A victory for Dan Miller (fighting out of Whippany, N.J./11-4, 1 NC) would have significant importance because it will get him back on the right track in his UFC career. The black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu started off his UFC career with a string of three victories, but has run across some top level talent in Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia, and Michael Bisping and is looking to get back to his winning ways. Conversely, John Salter (fighting out of Tuscaloosa, Ala./5-1) lost his UFC debut against Gerald Harris, but made amends by defeating Jason MacDonald at UFC 113. This fight will be an interesting matchup as both fighters have a background in wrestling and jiu-jitsu.

Nick Osipczak (fighting out of Nottingham, England/5-2) will be making his fourth appearance in the Octagon^® after establishing a record of 2-1 in the UFC. This welterweight matchup features two young fighters on the rise in one of the sport’s toughest divisions. Osipczak, 25, has only engaged in seven professional bouts, while his opponent Greg Soto (fighting out of Point Pleasant, NJ/7-1), has had eight professional fights at the age of 24. Soto will be making his second appearance for the UFC, after a debut disqualification loss to Matthew Riddle at UFC 111.

In March of 2009, Mike Pierce (fighting out of Vancouver, WA/10-3) made his successful debut for the WEC, beating Justin Haskins with a TKO. Pierce then joined the UFC and has a record of 3-1 between the two organizations. At UFC 118, he will be facing a newcomer to the UFC, Amilcar Alves (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/11-1). Alves has established a respectable professional record and will attempt to make a spectacular UFC debut.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^® – www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC^® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world.  UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 147 countries and territories, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 19 different languages.  Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym^™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo^™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, Ultimate Fighting^®, UFC^®, The Ultimate Fighter^®, Submission^®, As Real As It Gets^®, Zuffa^®, The Octagon^™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

JAMES TONEY SHOWS NO RESPECT FOR MMA AND RANDY COUTURE THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ON HDNET’S “INSIDE MMA”

RYAN COUTURE, SON OF MMA LEGEND RANDY COUTURE, TO MAKE PRO MMA DEBUT AT STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS EVENT IN PHOENIX, AUG. 13, LIVE ON SHOWTIME®

SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 29, 2010) – Ryan Couture, son of MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture, has signed a multi-fight agreement with world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE and will make his professional MMA debut on Friday, Aug. 13 at the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., LIVE on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The 27-year-old Couture, a member of the Las Vegas, Nev., based Xtreme Couture fight team, will face Lucas Stark of Chandler, Ariz. in a three-round lightweight (155 pounds) bout.

Looking to make a name for himself in the sport his father helped pioneer, Couture compiled an amateur record of 5-1-1 competing as a lightweight with all five wins coming by way of submission.  He has had access to a who’s who of MMA royalty as training partners and coaches, which, coupled with a solid amateur career, has given him the background and confidence to take his fight career to the next level.

Couture, whose parents split up when he was in sixth grade, spent his high school years in suburban Seattle.  With his father being a former wrestling coach at Oklahoma State University, Couture naturally developed into a talented high school wrestler.

Following high school, Couture enrolled in Western Washington University in Bellingham, where he graduated in 2004 with a mathematics degree. He worked at a local bank until he realized his desire to work in the family business.

Couture began his MMA training in 2006, working diligently to mature into a well-rounded fighter, adding Muay Thai and a dangerous submission game to his repertoire.  In January 2008, he moved to Las Vegas to train with his father.

In his final amateur bout on March 26, Couture fought to a draw against Sean Bollinger for the Tuff-N-UFF 155-pound title fight at The Orleans in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the Aug. 13 STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale now through www.livenation.com <http://www.livenation.com/> , www.STRIKEFORCE.com <http://www.strikeforce.com/> , the Dodge Theatre Box Office, any Ticketmaster outlet or by phone at (800) 745-3000

In the main event, Phoenix native and MMA star Joe “Diesel” Riggs will take on knockout artist Louis Taylor at a catch weight of 182 pounds.

The event will also showcase a four-woman, single-elimination 135-pound tournament featuring STRIKEFORCE Women’s welterweight prospects Miesha “Takedown” Tate, Carina “Beauty But The Beast” Damm, Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano and Maiju Kujala.

Dodge Theatre doors will open at 5:15 p.m. MT for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event.  The first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. and the first main card bout will begin at 8 p.m.

STRIKEFORCE Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. The series is designed to provide today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.

About STRIKEFORCE

STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.”  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

RANDY “THE NATURAL” COUTURE GRACES COVER OF UFC® MAGAZINE

UFC Hall of Famer and Five-Time Champion Talks Toney, The Expendables

and UFC 118 In the Latest UFC Issue

(Click Image to view UFC Magazine Video)

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – It’s already been a whirlwind year for five-time UFC^® champion Randy Couture, with a win over fellow Hall of Famer Mark Coleman in February, a role in the highly-anticipated film “The Expendables” this summer, and an impending battle with James “Lights Out” Toney coming up in August.  So when he recently witnessed the unveiling of his UFC Magazine cover at his gym in Las Vegas, it was another milestone in a 2010 to remember for “The Natural”.

“I have a pinch me moment all the time,” Couture said. “I’ve had a blast in this sport for the last 13 years. This year’s been a pretty remarkable year – getting to work with (Sylvester) Stallone in a movie, stuff like this with the cover. It’s pretty cool.”

Indeed, fight fan favorite “Captain America” is front and center on the August/September 2010 issue of UFC Magazine.  But that’s not the only stage he’s holding right now, all eyes are on him as he prepares to be the first-ever UFC fighter to go head-to-head with a former world boxing champion in the form of  “Lights Out” Toney.

Couture and Toney will meet August 28^th in the co-main event of UFC 118 in Boston, in what is being billed as a UFC vs. Boxing mega-fight to settle the score once and for all as to which fighting style reigns supreme.

Couture is a living legend that continues to shock and awe fans and experts, as well as his opponents. The 47-year old looks to welcome Toney to the Octagon^™ and see if the UFC’s newest high-profile addition has grown a ground game.  Toney can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk? In this UFC Magazine interview, Randy elaborates on the boxing legend’s strengths, weaknesses and wisecracks.

Also in the current issue of UFC Magazine, Kenda Perez, host of Spike TV’s Best of PRIDE^®, tears up a six-page pictorial in vintage PRIDE shirts and talks about life, love and the greatest moments of head-stomping.

UFC Magazine debuted in June of 2009, and quickly shot up the retail charts to become one of the best-selling men’s magazines on the newsstand. UFC Magazine is sold at more than 40,000 different retail locations across the country.

In addition to Couture, previous UFC Magazine covers have featured UFC athletes Anderson Silva, Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, Rampage Jackson as well as UFC President Dana White.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^® – www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC^® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world.  UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 147 countries and territories, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 19 different languages.  Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym^™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo^™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, Ultimate Fighting^®, UFC^®, The Ultimate Fighter^®, Submission^®, As Real As It Gets^®, Zuffa^®, The Octagon^™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

UFC® FAN EXPO™ OFFERS FANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH MMA’S TOP STARS

Training & Development Sessions to feature Brandon Vera, Frank Mir, Jens Pulver,

Matt Serra, Randy Couture and Urijah Faber

Renowned jiu-jitsu coach Eddie Bravo, Muay Thai legend Mark DellaGrotte,

and striking instructor Shawn Tompkins to also lead seminars

Las Vegas, NV – It’s not every day that you get a chance to learn a jump shot from LeBron James. Nor does the opportunity present itself to be taught how to throw a football like Peyton Manning. However, for mixed martial arts fans, the ability to learn strategy and techniques from the sport’s most influential figures presents itself at this year’s UFC^® Fan Expo^™.

At this year’s Expo, fans will have the opportunity to learn from the sport’s best athletes and coaches on Friday, May 28^th and Saturday, May 29^th at the UFC Fan Expo. From jiu-jitsu techniques with former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra to explosive takedowns with former WEC featherweight titlist Urijah Faber, the UFC Fan Expo’s Training and Development sessions offer fans the ultimate mixed martial arts experience.

“This is a chance for fans to learn MMA from the best,” said UFC President Dana White. “Whether you have been training for a long time or just beginning the sport, there is something for everyone at these Training and Development Sessions.”

Tickets for UFC^® FAN EXPO^™ and Training & Development sessions are on sale now and can be bought exclusively at UFCFanExpo.com. Please note that audience seating for each Training & Development Session is limited; the cost to participate in a session is $150 per person, per session.

Training & Development Session Schedule

(All Times Pacific)

Friday, May 28

9am-11am – Frank Mir

10am-12pm – Brandon Vera

12pm-2pm – Urijah Faber

1pm-3pm – Jens Pulver

3:30pm-5pm – Matt Serra

5pm-7pm – Eddie Bravo

Saturday, May 29

9am-11am – Shawn Tompkins

10am-12pm – Kru Mark DellaGrotte

12pm-2pm – Randy Couture

This year’s UFC Fan Expo leads into UFC^® 114: RAMPAGE vs. EVANS, featuring the long-awaited grudge match between former light heavyweight champions Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans. For more UFC Fan Expo information and to purchase tickets, visit UFCfanexpo.com. For companies interested in reserving space at this premier event, contact Ed Gallo, Event Director at 1-203-840-5546 or email egallo@ufcfanexpo.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^® – www.ufc.com
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC^® produces over twelve UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually and 30 live arena events around the world.  UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s Versus network.  UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada.  Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 130 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reaching 430 million homes worldwide, in 20 different languages.  Ancillary businesses now include UFC.com with over 5 million unique visitors per month, the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gym^™, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo^™ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a U.S. bimonthly magazine.

Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, Ultimate Fighting^®, UFC^®, The Ultimate Fighter^®, Submission^®, As Real As It Gets^®, Zuffa^®, The Octagon^™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademarks, trade dress and/or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and licensed to its affiliated entities and other licensees in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC, its affiliates or other respective owners.

About Reed Exhibitions

The UFC Fan Expo is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world’s leading events organizer, with over 470 events in 37 countries. In 2008, Reed brought together over seven million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 38 fully staffed offices.

Reed organizes a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses, and meetings. Its portfolio of over 470 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewelry, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation, and travel. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations, and government departments, Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.

UFC Quick Quote: A little ‘White’ lie is an unfortunate part of ‘reality’ — get over it

Written By: Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com)

“When we have a reality show where everything’s a secret, you’re gonna have to watch it. Guess what? You can’t know and it’s not you’re privilege to know. And if people are upset with that too bad. It’s a reality show. First of all, SPIKE paid for this show. For me to go out and release this information, it’s insane you can’t do it. It would be like finding out what happens on ‘Survivor’ after they film it. The people who feel like they’ve been lied to, too bad. Get over it. It’s a reality show.”

UFC President Dana White (via Yahoo Sports) makes no apologies for his misdirection in the cast changes that were reported for this season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 11. When news broke that Coach Tito Ortiz was replaced by Rich Franklin midway through the season, White refuted the story and said “Ace” was being paired up with Randy Couture instead. He also told the Canadian press that Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell were “definitely” main eventing at UFC 115 on June 12 in Vancouver. Anyone think the Octagon boss should have replied with “No comment” or “Watch and find out?” Or was he simply doing what was best for the company? Where do you stand on this Maniacs?

Next Page »

• Latest News

  • Q & A with “Funtime” Frankie Gavin
  • VIDEO: ANTONIO MARGARITO ROUNDTABLE
  • VIDEO: FREDDIE ROACH MEDIA ROUNDTABLE
  • Video: Manny Pacquiao roundtable
  • VIDEO: Pacquiao – Margarito New York Press Conference
  • Video: Todd Du Boef
  • FEATHERWEIGHT BATTLE TO OPEN MOSLEY VS. MORA PAY-PER-VIEW TELEVISED UNDERCARD
  • Ruiz Jr. Signs with Goossen Tutor
  • ROBERT GUERRERO AND WIFE CASEY “JOIN THE DROP OF LIFE”
  • ‘The Boxing 360 Series’ To be launched in New York City

• Tags

  Allan Green Anderson Silva Andre Ward Arthur Abraham Beibut Shumenov Bernard Hopkins Boxing Brett Rogers Brock Lesnar Carl Froch Chris Arreola Dana White David Haye Delvin Rodriguez Fedor Emelianenko Floyd Mayweather Georges St. Pierre GoFightlive Jake Shields Jermain Taylor Joshua Clottey Juan Diaz Juan manuel Lopez Juan Manuel Marquez KELLY PAVLIK Manny Pacquiao Marco Huck Miguel Cotto Mike Jones Mikkel Kessler MMA Nikolai Valuev Paul Williams Randy Couture Robert Guerrero Roy Jones jr. Shane Mosley strikeforce The Billy C Morning Show Timothy Bradley Tomasz Adamek ufc Video Vitali Klitschko WEC

• Categories

  • Article
  • Boxing News
  • Fight Clips
  • Interviews
  • MMA News
  • Past Events
  • Uncategorized
  • Upcoming Events
  • Video
  • Weigh-ins

• Translate

  Translate to:
  ArabicBulgarianCatalanChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)CroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishFilipinoFinnishFrenchGermanGreekHebrewHindiIndonesianItalianJapaneseKoreanLatvianLithuanianNorwegianPolishPortugueseRomanianRussianSerbianSlovakSlovenianSpanishSwedishUkrainianVietnamese
  
  Powered by Google Translate.

• MAMMA Online News

  • What Does Alvarez vs Huerta in Philly Mean to Philly? (Part 2) September 1, 2010
    Yesterday I talked about why this October’s Bellator is different from other shows going on down here in Philly. Today I’m going to talk about the challenge in promoting this show. As we mentioned yesterday, Eddie Alvarez will fight in Philly for the first time in October against Roger Huerta. This fight could mark the [...] No related posts. […]
    Paul Miles
  • What Does Alvarez vs Huerta in Philly Mean to Philly? August 31, 2010
    I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the quality of fight cards in the Philly/Atlantic City game recently and for some reason I’ve had an impossible time expressing in words my thoughts. Some of that is because the path of least resistance in that sort of post would stomp on toes of promoters [...] No related posts. […]
    Paul Miles
  • Its Official: Alvarez vs Huerta Goes Down in Philly August 30, 2010
    After weeks of speculation, MMA Junkie has confirmed that Bellator 33 will happen in Philadelphia. The hot mustard on that awesome sandwich is the main event: Philadelphia’s own Eddie Alvarez faces internet sensation, and notorious football hater Roger Huerta in a three round non-title fight. Expect some familiar faces on the undercard. Bellator has traditio […]
    Paul Miles
  • “Rematch” is the Word of the Day for December Locked in the Cage August 28, 2010
    I spoke with Fran Evans of Locked in the Cage, and he confirmed for me that Bo Coleman and Brian Jackson will get a do-over from their aborted main event from August 21st. This time the dance is at the National Guard Armory in Philadelphia on December 3rd for Locked in the Cage 6. Fran [...] Related posts:Unusual End to Good Night of Fights for Locked in t […]
    Paul Miles
  • Brendan Barrett & Randy Smith Cold War About to Go Nuclear August 28, 2010
    For months the war of words between IFL and ROC veteran Brendan Barrett and Randy Smith finally has a venue to be turned physical. Lou Neglia and Brendan both confirmed yesterday that Barrett/Smith will finally go down at Ring of Combat 32 at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. The first volley of this battle [...] Related posts:Another Interview with Brendan […]
    Paul Miles

• ESPN News

  • Search for Bob Arum's son continues September 1, 2010
    Nearly two dozen mountaineers and park rangers are searching for the son of Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum, who's been missing since a weekend camping trip in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state. […]
    Associated Press
  • Manny Pacquiao on a Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout: 'He needs me' September 1, 2010
    Manny Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach said Wednesday that they agreed to every demand put forward by Floyd Mayweather for what could have been the richest fight in boxing history. […]
    Associated Press
  • Juan Manuel Marquez has deal to fight Michael Katsidis September 1, 2010
    Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez has agreed to fight Michael Katsidis at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on Nov. 27. […]
    Associated Press
  • Fana regains IBF junior lightweight title September 1, 2010
    Mzonke Fana has earned an impressive unanimous decision over Cassius Baloyi to win the vacant IBF junior lightweight title in a matchup of South Africans. […]
    Associated Press
  • Bernard Hopkins to fight light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal on Dec. 18 September 1, 2010
    Bernard Hopkins is slated to meet newly crowned light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal Dec. 18 in Quebec City, both sides told ESPN.com on Tuesday. […]
    Dan Rafael
  • Manny Pacquiao: Antonio Margarito knew what was in hand wraps August 31, 2010
    Manny Pacquiao says he wants a representative observing Antonio Margarito's hand wraps before their meeting in Texas. […]
    Associated Press
  • Antonio Tarver ready for heavyweight debut against Nagy Aguilera August 30, 2010
    Antonio Tarver will make his heavyweight debut Oct. 15 against Nagy Aguilera in a scheduled 10-rounder either in Memphis or Southern California. […]
    Dan Rafael
  • Fight between Juan Manuel Lopez and Rafael Marquez rescheduled for Nov. 6 August 30, 2010
    The postponed fight between featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez and former two-division champion Rafael Marquez has been rescheduled. […]
    Dan Rafael
  • Vyacheslav Senchenko beats Charlie Jose Navarro to retain WBA belt August 30, 2010
    Vyacheslav Senchenko retained his welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Charlie Jose Navarro on Monday night, though the unbeaten Ukrainian needed to work a bit harder than most people expected. […]
    Associated Press
  • Shannon Briggs says he'll knock out Vitali Klitschko in first round August 30, 2010
    Former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs said Monday he would make current WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko his "30-second, first-round victim" when they meet later this fall. […]
    Associated Press