The age-old debate over which combat sport is superior, boxing or MMA, will be the hot topic Saturday night as James Toney makes his MMA debut against UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture at in Boston.
In the main event of UFC 118, lightweight champ Frankie Edgar will look to once again silence his critics when he defends his coveted title against former two-division titlist B.J. Penn.
Here's a closer look at the UFC 118 main card.
Frankie Edgar (12-1) vs. BJ Penn (15-6-1)
In what was perhaps the year's biggest upset, Edgar dethroned a lackluster Penn at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, earning a contentious unanimous decision over five close rounds.
Penn was granted an immediate rematch aided by the fact thar many fighters and observers thought he won. Furthermore, strike totals lean toward Penn winning the first three rounds.
The 31-year-old Hawaiian is the most decorated lightweight in MMA history, vanquishing the likes of Takanori Gomi, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez to cement his legacy in the division. Additionally, Penn has fared well against bigger opponents in other weight classes, including Matt Serra, Matt Hughes and Renzo Gracie. Penn even took on former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and lost a hard-fought decision to the Brazilian, who weighed 220 pounds at the time of their fight.
In addition to his highly dangerous Brazilian jiujitsu, Penn has demonstrated a solid wrestling base, particularly with his outstanding balance and takedown defense. Moreover, he has evolved into one of the sharpers boxers in the sport, tactically picking apart opponents with his heavy hands.
After fatiguing in his last fight, Penn has been more diligent in his preparation for Edgar, redoubling his efforts to handle Edgar's quickness while also improving his hand speed.
Undoubtedly motivated and now focused on redemption, Penn will be as dangerous as ever Saturday night.
Edgar, a BJJ purple belt, is a proven grinder with a tactical in-and-out game, which makes him difficult to catch.The 28-year-old New Jersey native's only loss was to top contender Gray Maynard, one of the division's premier wrestlers.
Now on a four-fight winning streak, Edgar is in top form. His combination of quality wrestling, precise boxing, underrated grappling and rapid movement makes him a fighter you can never count out. At UFC 112, he became the first lightweight in history to successfully take Penn down to the mat, although he couldn't keep him there long.
While Penn has brought the likes of Vitor Belfort into his camp, Edgar has trained with UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre — who's beaten Penn twice. Edgar will surely be at his best, but one has to wonder if it will be enough to triumph yet again.
Regardless of the decision at UFC 112, Penn is still a 3-to-1 favorite in this bout. Possessing great killer instincts, the submission magician will need to take Edgar down, something he failed to do in their first fight. Once on the mat, few fighters have escaped Penn's wrath. That being said, I don't like Edgar's chances against the vengeful Hawaiian.
Randy Couture (18-10) vs. James Toney (0-0)
This will be the most interesting fight in the boxing vs. MMA debate.
Toney's path to the UFC has been fascinating. The 42-year-old has competed pro boxer since 1988. With his boxing career dwindling down, Toney began to follow UFC president Dana White to events and went on to issue challenges to the promotion's biggest draws, including Brock Lesnar and Chuck Liddell. His eagerness to enter hostile territory and fight them under MMA rules led to White signing Toney to a lucrative deal.
The heavy hitter suitably nicknamed "Lights Out" reportedly turned down a proposed fight against popular Internet streetfighter-turned-pro Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. To his credit, he actually wanted to fight an elite mixed martial artist. While a bout against Couture is not quite the immediate title shot he was hoping for, it's a high-profile opponent for his first MMA bout.
It has been nearly a year since Toney last fought in a boxing ring. The 1991 and 2003 Ring Magazine "Fighter of the Year" will have questionable conditioning compared to his 47-year-old opponent, who is known to always be in superlative physical condition.
In an admirable attempt to learn as much as he can about the MMA game, Toney began training with standout wrestlers Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal and Antonio McKee. But there is only so much he can pick up in so little time. It is unlikely he will be able to stuff a takedown attempt by the three-time Olympic team alternate.
Couture's smothering clinch game and ground-and-pound assault has made him a multitime champion. At 47, however, Couture is increasingly vulnerable to getting knocked out by superior strikers.
Toney's hands connecting on Couture's chin can be a nightmare for the MMA community, but it's a very real possibility come Saturday night. While Couture is the heavy favorite, Toney has enough tricks up his sleeve to make this a competitive fight.
The possibility is unquestionable, but Toney is unlikely to unload on Couture. "The Natural" will look to close the distance immediately, shoot in with a traditional double-leg and emphatically crush the boxing great in the first round.
Demian Maia (12-2) vs. Mario Miranda (10-1)
Maia, a BJJ wizard, has not seen action since losing to Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi.
After submitting his first five UFC opponents and earning four "Submission of the Night" bonuses, Maia broke into the middleweight top 10. The continually maturing southpaw showcased improved striking in his decision win over Dan Miller this past February.
Meanwhile, Miranda is coming off a devastating stoppage of David Loiseau at UFC 115. The AMC Pankration-trained fighter joined the UFC after wins over Rick Story and Joe Vedepo on smaller shows. He lost his promotional debut against wrestling powerhouse Gerald Harris, but the 31-year-old is now looking ahead at an opportunity to establish himself as a household name.
A solid wrestler, Miranda recently took part in Silva's training camp for his title defense against Sonnen at UFC 117.
Maia has teased that he will use his evolving striking to pick Miranda apart. However, this fight will eventually spill to the mat, which is where Maia will do his greatest damage. Miranda is no slouch on the ground, but he is unlikely to escape unscathed against such a high caliber grappler.
Kenny Florian (13-4) vs. Gray Maynard (9-0)
With a lightweight title shot up for grabs, these top-ranked competitors will put on a clinic at UFC 118.
Since losing to Penn at UFC 101, Florian has bounced back with submission wins over Clay Guida and Takanori Gomi.
Florian has stopped 10 during his UFC campaign and gone the distance only twice, an amazing feat in the talent-rich lightweight division.
His primary tools include a dangerous Muay Thai game consisting of a precise jab and razor-sharp elbows coupled with a flair for submissions, having earned his BJJ black belt under Roberto Maia at Gracie Barra Boston.
Based on recent performances, Florian is in his prime at 34 and hopes to one day fight Penn, Diego Sanchez and Sean Sherk again, the only three to defeat him in the UFC.
Maynard, 31, is unbeaten, however Nate Diaz submitted him on the fifth season of "The Ultimate Fighter." Many pundits have criticized Maynard's split decision win over Diaz in their rematch this past January.
Maynard has beaten current champ Edgar at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008. An NCAA Division I wrester for Michigan State, Maynard is one of the best in the division when it comes to suffocating competition with takedowns. Under Gil Martinez, Maynard has exhibited improved boxing skills and is becoming a well-rounded machine at 155 pounds.
This is a great matchup on paper with neither man possessing a distinctive edge.
Maynard will need to hold his own standing by scoring with effective combinations to set up takedowns. On the mat, Maynard is not out of deep water as Florian can catch him in a submission. Conversely, Florian needs to wear Maynard down with punishing strikes, while stuffing his opponent's takedown attempts. The longer this fight stays standing, the more it should favor Florian.
Nate Diaz (12-5) vs. Marcus Davis (17-6)
Two big egos will clash in an explosive welterweight encounter.
The Cesar Gracie-trained Diaz keeps getting better. A BJJ brown belt, the 25-year-old has submitted numerous black belts during his UFC tenure, including Kurt Pellegrino, Alvin Robinson and Junior Assuncao.
After being outwrestled in disappointing decision losses to lightweights Maynard, Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida, Diaz made his welterweight debut this past March, destroying Rory Markham in under three minutes.
Diaz often goes away from his strong submission game to box with just about anyone.
The controversial trash talker would be well advised to revert to his BJJ pedigree against Davis.
The 37-year-old Davis has had an up-and-down UFC career with key wins over Chris Lytle and Shonie Carter. Following losses against Dan Hardy and Ben Saunders, the Team Sityodtong product stopped Jonathan Goulet at UFC 113 this past May.
Diaz will have a decisive edge on the mat and even standing Diaz's output of punches is incredible. The offensive storm of punches will eventually take its toll on Davis.
Depending on his performance, this fight could determine if the future for Diaz is at 155 or 170 pounds.
