http://mmajunkie.com/news/18282/inside- ... -first.mma

Boxing champ James Toney has been a hot topic for mixed martial arts fans from the moment his recent UFC signing was made official.

What seemed a mere curiosity as Toney followed UFC president Dana White around the country – begging for a shot in the octagon – quickly turned into a potential game-changing acquisition.

But is the UFC supporting a freak show? Or can Toney prove boxing's value in MMA?

And whom exactly is Toney going to fight?

On the newest edition of HDNet's "Inside MMA," the 41-year-old boxer said he doesn't want any pushover; in fact, he'd be comfortable starting with UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

"I want Brock Lesnar," Toney said. "I'm the heavyweight champion of the world vs. the UFC champion. That'd be a hell of a match."

And if Lesnar's not in the cards, Toney said there's a few other guys he wouldn't mind facing.

"Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, or whatever his name is," Toney said. "It doesn't matter. I'm not a sideshow. This is the real deal here."

While Toney's signing has already been officially announced, when and where he'll debut for the organization has not. Liddell and Ortiz, opposing coaches on Spike TV's soon-to-debut "The Ultimate Fighter 11," are expected to face off this June, though Couture and Lesnar are currently without opponents.

Toney began boxing professionally in 1989 and fought as light as 155.5 pounds. As his career progressed, he fought as heavy as 237 pounds in 2006. In his most recent outing, a September 2009 TKO win over Matthew Greer, Toney weighed in at 217.5 pounds.

Toney insists he has the utmost respect for the sport of mixed martial arts, but he believes it's time MMA fighters develop more respect for boxing.

"I never said nothing less about the sport," Toney said. "But when you come disrespect the man who's 20 years deep and has won 12 different title in six different weight divisions and say MMA sport is better boxing, you got to be kidding me."

Good luck against any of those fighters, Toney. You'll need it Notice only one of them is at heavyweight, though... Maybe Dana will get his way after all.

This guy is perfect for Kimbo, James Irvin (although he's now MW, isn't he?), or Houston Alexander if he was still around.

Yeah James Irvin is set to fight Alessio Sakara at Middleweight. Perhaps he has moved down to enact some revenge on Anderson Silva lol.

If by "hell of a match" you mean short, one sided, and brutal...

You're talking about one of the most athletic heavyweights in the UFC, with a background in pure-as-the-driven-snow wrestling, and has been training in MMA to boot. If Brock tries to take you down, he will succeed. Once you're on the ground you will panick, and a few short hammers later you'll be unconcious.

Which means I really want to watch this fight.

Easy with the mma analysis.
Nobody should take it seriously... (Toney's publicity stunt)

TONEY...great with the hype.. but has one hell of a punch not called lights out for nothing

Saw him on inside mma today. Actually it seems as he would fight any fighter that are considered a world champion. Because as he himself is world champion he would not like to loose to some "unknown" guy.

Have to give him credit for stepping up and defending boxing after Dana "disrespected" it.

But in the end I dont think he has a shot unless he gets a lucky puch in the beginning of a fight, no matter who he fights in the UFC heavyweight division.

He actually talked about fighting Anderson Silva too...

Yeah the guy wants to walk into the Octagon knockout GSP, Anderson Silva, Brock Lesnar, Lyoto Machida, BJ Penn and then say, see boxing is the shit!