UFC 118: Randy Couture dominates James Toney

By Beau Dure

BOSTON — UFC President Dana White had said earlier Saturday that he was worried about the fight between UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and boxing veteran James Toney, knowing he’d never hear the end of it from the boxing community if Toney managed the upset.

He needn’t have worried. Couture, an accomplished amateur wrestler before his MMA career, wasted no time taking the larger Toney down, and Toney showed no capacity to respond once he was on the ground.

Couture immediately established full mount, straddling Toney’s torso and landing short punches as he has done throughout his career.

Toney slowed Couture’s progress by keeping his arms in the way as Couture worked for an arm-triangle choke. He fended off one attempt, which Couture relinquished in favor of more punches. The second attempt at the choke was more secure, and Toney flailed his hand to tap out, 3:19 into the fight.

“I’m a huge fan of boxing,” Couture said. “A lot of credit to James.”

Toney, who has claimed 11 title belts in five weight classes as a boxer, praised Couture in a postfight interview difficult to hear over the booing crowd.