Quijano: The lights were on and Couture was there
Saturday, September 4, 2010
More Sections
JAMES “Lights Out” Toney’s ill-advised foray into mixed-martial arts was embarrassing to say the least. I was rooting for him to pull it off albeit I was realistic about his chances.
In the process, I lost a friendly wager to rising MMA star Sabah Fadai who by the way, recently defeated “The Dragonball” Doo Jae Chung at the ongoing ESPN Starsports Martial Combat at Resortsworld, Sentosa, while representing Cebu City.
Updates on President Benigno Aquino III's presidency
DISRESPECT. If you ask me, it all came down to respect, or the lack thereof. Toney chased down UFC President Dana White, showed up at their press conferences, and repeatedly threw down the missive that he would dominate a UFC opponent if given the opportunity.
The arrogance continued inside the Octagon with Toney strutting his trademark boxing stance: left hand down, chin tucked, with his left leg sticking out.
In stark contrast, Randy Couture-the living MMA legend that he is, demonstrated a very healthy respect for Toney and his craft and harbored no illusions of engaging him in a strike-fest.
In just a matter of seconds, he grabbed at Toney’s exposed leg and succeeded in his first attempt at a single leg takedown.
From that moment on, it was fait accompli.
PERPSECTIVE. In the end, it really wasn’t about boxing vs. MMA. It was plain to see that it was an MMA novice facing a decorated MMA legend.
Despite all the hype it justifiably got with two superstars from rival sports getting it on, in the brilliant clarity of hindsight--this fight couldn’t have been more than an exhibition.
James Toney fighting under MMA rules is about as alien as Randy Couture lacing up the gloves to try his luck as a pro-boxer.
It was more a spectacle than a struggle. An event rather than an epic.
HANDICAP. UFC Dana White said it so succinctly when he opined that boxing is just part of what they do. And I totally agree.
Even Couture stated that he doesn’t know of an MMA fighter who has not at one time or another trained in boxing.
Ergo, when James Toney stepped into that octagon, he was severely limited and disadvantaged fighting under MMA rules—a handicap White and Couture were all too willing to exploit.
But hey, don’t blame them. James signed up for it.
PUNCHER’S CHANCE. Of course, this is not to say that he had no chance. A puncher always has a chance and it is precisely that gem of a chance that made the match so intriguing.
But once it is stripped of all its novelty, we can probably assume that every time a mixed- martial artist faces a boxer, he is expected to win if the fight goes to the ground.
In like manner, a boxer has a greater chance to come out on top if the fighters stay on their feet.
Unfortunately in Toney’s case, Couture outperformed and outwitted him quickly.
Toney’s ineptness to compete at this sport couldn’t have been more ably demonstrated than at the fight’s denouement.
Incapacitated and debilitated by Couture’s triangle choke, Toney couldn’t even tap out. Instead he chose to wave his hand furiously like a Miss Universe candidate.
FLESHY. Neither was Toney’s cause alleviated by the fact he reportedly came in at a fleshy 250 pounds at fight time.
A striker’s ally in these types of fight is speed, and he practically gave it all away by showing up at his heaviest weight yet to date, in both sports.
LAST ROUND. It’s on Jomari Gorne who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
