James Toney and the Impossible Dream

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Randy Couture's dismantling of James Toney at UFC 118 should come as no surprise to anyone with even a passing interest in mixed martial arts.  Competing at an elite level in MMA requires a mastery of a wide range of skills, including wrestling, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, takedown and submission defense, that are foreign to even the most experienced boxer.  Exceptional striking is really the final piece of the puzzle.  Throw in the fact that Couture is, conservatively, one of the ten best mixed martial artists ever and Toney seemed to be in this more for the big payday than the victory, and the utter obliteration that occurred Saturday night was inevitable.

The thing is, I don't think Toney's loss is going to do anything to stem the tide of professional athletes from other sports dipping their toes in MMA waters.  Despite his defeat, and the middling performances of Kimbo Slice, Herschel Walker and Bobby Lashley, boxers, football players, pro wrestlers and more will keep trying their hand at mixed martial arts for one reason - Brock Lesnar is UFC's heavyweight champion.