UFC contender Vitor Belfort calls for a boxing match against IBF champion James Toney
On Monday former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort sent a message on his Twitter account imploring UFC President Dana White to promote a boxing match between him and James Toney.
Toney, the current IBA heavyweight-boxing champion battled Randy Couture in the octagon on August 28, 2010. Toney lasted less than one round against Couture who has held both the UFC light heavyweight and UFC heavyweight titles. Couture submitted Toney via an arm triangle choke 3:19 into the first round.
Toney did not land a single punch in his MMA debut. Toney attempted first punch was countered by Couture with a low single leg take-down. Once the two fighters hit the ground, the fight was dominated by Couture who rained punches on the boxer, eventually ending the fight by submission with a choke.
Belfort is willing to box Toney for six rounds inside the octagon, stating, “Dana, let me fight James Toney in a 6 round boxing match. I think I can catch him with my speed.”
Toney, when informed of Belfort’s request to White responded, “Tell Vitor Belfort let’s make it happen. I like that because he ain’t no scared little b***h. He wants to come to my world and I’m more than willing to welcome him into my world.”
Couture and Toney battled under the UFC banner but fought under UFC rules. Belfort’s wish is to have the fight presented by UFC, but to fight under boxing rules. Belfort has one professional boxing match in his past, a fight he won via a knock-out in the first round.
After UFC 118, Dana White said that he was not interested in another MMA vs. boxing match-up. The proposed fight would most likely need to generate a significant amount of interest to gain the attention of the UFC and its president.
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