• UFC 118

Toney tells Couture: 'I'm the real ultimate fighter'

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James Toney has promised Randy Couture that he will show the world on August 28 that he is 'the real ultimate fighter'.

Recognised by many as the most iconic face in the UFC, no man carries more respect than Hall of Famer Couture. A former five-time champion and owner of 15 title bouts, Couture has arguably done more for the sport of MMA than any other.

None of that matters to champion boxer Toney though, who simply wants to prove he is the best fighter on the planet at UFC 118.

"They don't call me Lights Out for nothing. I'm still the current world IBA heavyweight champion," he said. "Everybody's scared to fight me in my sport. I might as well see what they've got in MMA.

"I'm about trouble. That's why they call me JT. 'Just trouble'. Don't get mad because God gave me the gift to be a great fighter, period.

"James Toney is the best fighter, period. The real ultimate fighter."

Couture has spoken of his huge advantage in the UFC 118 co-main event, with Toney's raw grappling skills surely lacking against the former Greco-Roman Olympic alternate. A defeat for Toney would almost certainly make his venture into MMA a short one, but the 41-year-old has hit back at Couture's promise to send him back to boxing.

"If he tries to come and wrestle me and all that other crazy stuff he does, it'll be a short night for him," said Toney. "When I heard him saying he was going to teach me a lesson and send me back to boxing, I was like 'that's what I'm talking about'.

"The only way he's going to the ground is when I knock his ass out. I ain't worried about getting hit because I've been hit by the best and I ain't going nowhere.

"Randy Couture, I'm gonna get you. I promise you. All that stuff you're talking, I hope you bring it. Cos I ain't going nowhere, I'm knocking your ass out."

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