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Originally Posted by roaddawg  From a business perspective that wouldnt be a good idea financially. We already know Kimbo is one of the biggest draws in MMA history. Take that with a proven boxer and heavyweight champion in James Toney and you have history in the making and ppv buy rate that will rock the planet.
Besides for Toneys first MMA fight it just wouldnt be a good idea to throw him to the wolves so early. Make money off these guys while you can and give fans the fight they want to see.
Let the winner fight one of the names you just mentioned.
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I completely understand what you're saying, but I believe that it may be bad for all involved to see Kimbo get KTFO'd by a boxer whose NEVER fought in MMA before, given how big of a draw Kimbo is. Toney, I'd have to say, is a bigger name than Ray Mercer and may very well come in, punch Kimbo in the face and go home. What does that leave the UFC? A ruined shell of Kimbo, who got beaten at his own game and who'll be able to draw no more. I think it's foregone that Kimbo WILL lose and badly in the UFC against the first somewhat solid HW, but to lose his toughman cred SO quickly, I think is akin to killing the golden goose. Think back to when Chuck was the LHW champ, they fed him Horn and Babalu and REALLY tried to keep him from being exposed. Kimbo needs protection and I think their style just plays right into Toney's wheelhouse.
If you debut Toney against a gatekeeper striker like Buentello or Yvel or Hardonk, you test his worth. If he's really committed to being an MMA fighter, he should win considering his striking pedigree and a win against a gatekeeper doesn't ruin MMA's credibility it did when Sylvia got busted. THEN you give him Kimbo, after seeing he's real. If he fights Kimbo and is a bust, that's fine. But I'd prefer to see if he's any good prior to potentially KO'ing Kimbo.
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