76
BOSTON » We still haven’t seen what happens when a world champion boxer tees off on an MMA fighter in the cage.
James Toney never got a chance to throw a single punch as Randy Couture took him down, beat him up and choked him in the first round of the co-main event of UFC 118 last night at the TD Garden.
Billed as a UFC vs. boxing fight, the fight was never in doubt, as an overweight Toney had absolutely nothing for the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion.
"I couldn’t afford to just think it was silly and not take him seriously," Couture said.
The 47-year-old Couture is still a legit 205-pound fighter, but his last two bouts have come against 45-year-old Mark Coleman and Toney, a boxer with no MMA experience.
Maynard gets title shot
Undefeated lightweight Gray Maynard (11-0, 1 NC) secured his spot opposite Frankie Edgar in the next lightweight title fight with a unanimous decision victory over Kenny Florian (15-5).
Maynard did what he does best, use his wrestling to take Florian down in each of three rounds. Neither guy showed much standing as Florian looked tentative to commit to his striking, knowing Maynard’s takedown ability.
Maynard wasn’t able to inflict much damage once on top of Florian, who couldn’t escape once he was put on his back until the final round.
Florian was able to get to his feet in the final seconds, but didn’t throw a punch as the final horn sounded.
Diaz puts Davis to sleep
Nate Diaz (14-5) continued to impress at 170 pounds, putting Marcus Davis (22-8) to sleep in the third round with an anaconda choke in the opening fight of the pay-per-view telecast.
Diaz has won back-to-back fights at welterweight after competing at lightweight for his entire UFC career. Diaz said after the fight he would prefer to move back down to 155 pounds, which has more big-name draws.
