"James has a sturdy chin, so it's going to be hard to pound him out, but you know, if he can't intelligently defend himself, they will stop the fight even if he is not as hurt as it may appear on TV. But he's got Neal Melanson, who is an excellent ground guy and he has great submissions. I expect Randy to take him down and submit him. I know they brought some people into James' camp to try to mimic what Randy does, but it's just not enough time; just not enough time to put those tools in that tool belt. He's going to be a fish out of water when it gets on the ground and he's going to find that it's not that easy," stated world-class MMA and boxing trainer Ron Frazier as he talked about Randy Couture's preparations for this Saturday's showdown with James Toney at UFC 118. Check out what he had to say about the fight and much more.
PC: It's now a reality and we are a few days away from Randy Couture introducing the first established boxer to the UFC. What are your thoughts?
RF: It's been very interesting. I thought the day would come; I just didn't think James Toney would be the one representing boxing. I thought a guy like Kermit Cintron, a guy who made more of a wrestling background than a boxing background, would be the guy. He would already have 2 of the main disciplines in mixed martial arts. I thought it would be somebody like him, but to get an established Hall of Famer like James Toney is fun. It's been fun.
PC: I know Randy has faced some dangerous strikers, but none with the pedigree of James Toney. How different has it been preparing for a guy with his credentials in the boxing department?
RF: It really hasn't been that difficult because Randy has fought Tim Sylvia, he's fought Gabriel Gonzaga and Chuck Liddell, and they may not be the striker in terms of a James Toney sense, but they are guys that he knew he had to be careful with while they were on their feet and the object was to control those guys and push them up against the cage or take them down. In that aspect, it hasn't changed much. We have a guy named Ray Sefo who is a 6-time world kickboxing champion, but he does have some boxing experience. Even though he is about 6'1" and weighs 240, he has some of the fastest hands you have ever seen and he's a good guy to mimic James Toney. Having him involved with this camp has been priceless.
PC: For the most part, I see that people believe within the first 30 seconds of the fight, we will be able to determine what type of fight it's going to be. How long do you think it will take before we know what kind of fight we are in for?
RF: I think we will be able to tell early on. Obviously, Randy is a veteran of the sport. He's not going to rush or be intimidated and do something that is out of his game plan. I think he's going to buy his time and see what Toney is trying to do; if Toney is going to try to set him up for the counter or if Toney is going to try to walk him down. I say about halfway through the 1st round, we'll kind of figure out what kind of fight it's going to be.
PC: Randy looks to be in great shape, as always. Has it been difficult with promoting the movie and doing a lot of traveling while preparing for Toney?
RF: The movie was shot last year, so he didn't have to do that. He just had to do publicity for it. He'll take one of the trainers from the gym out on the road with him, whether it's the strength and conditioning coach, Jake Bonacci, or myself or Ray Sefo; anybody that he can grab for a week or see, he will get them and take them out on the road and get his work in.
PC: If you had the ideal ending to this fight, how would it go?
RF: Ideally, I think take him down...and you know, James has a sturdy chin, so it's going to be hard to pound him out, but you know, if he can't intelligently defend himself, they will stop the fight even if he is not as hurt as it may appear on TV. But he's got Neal Melanson, who is an excellent ground guy and he has great submissions. I expect Randy to take him down and submit him. I know they brought some people into James' camp to try to mimic what Randy does, but it's just not enough time; just not enough time to put those tools in that tool belt. He's going to be a fish out of water when it gets on the ground and he's going to find that it's not that easy. He will see it's much easier, with guys that's not on Randy's level, to kind of reverse them or get back up as opposed to a guy with 14 years experience on the ground and who has an underrated submission game, especially over the last 3 years. He's added a lot to his tool belt as far as submissions is concerned; some stuff that James and maybe even the people that James trains with have never seen.
PC: I know you're not thinking of a loss at this point, but does a win from Toney hurt MMA any in your eyes?
RF: I don't know. It all depends on James. If James is fortunate for him, and unfortunate for us, to win this fight it depends on if he fights again. It depends on how they want to play it. Randy is 47 years old, so I think a lot of people will point to that if he loses this fight. He is 47 years old. And the same thing goes for when Randy beats James. It's not a win for MMA over boxing because...you know what? I love James Toney. James is a Hall of Fame fighter and I got respect for him, but he's past his prime as a boxer. He's not the 168-pound James Toney or the 175-pound James Toney. He's a 245-pound plus James Toney. He's not the guy who we saw compete against Michael Nunn or even knock out Evander Holyfield at heavyweight where he was at 215. He's not in his prime as a boxer. If it was a Kermit Cintron, who is a young guy and a champion, or a Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, I think the implications would be a lot different.
PC: Is Randy going back to light heavyweight after this fight?
RF: He plans to go back down to 205. I expect him too. He's in such great condition that I would be surprised if he came in over 220 for this fight. He is back in light heavyweight mode. The only other fight he would take at heavyweight is...he would love to rematch Brock Lesnar. He felt that there are some things that he can get done there. I don't know the livelihood of that happening. He would much rather pursue the title at 205.
PC: Thanks for your time man. I look forward to the fight. Good luck. I will hit you up this week to discuss Kessler's replacement in the Super Six and California denying Margarito his license, and of course Toney/Couture.
RF: Absolutely. Anytime you need me, buddy, I'm there for you.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]