James Toney UFC 118: 15 Other Athletes Who Could Kick Ass in MMA

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James Toney is headlining UFC 118 in a "boxing vs. MMA" fight between he and Randy Couture.

Dana White seems like the kind of guy who doesn't like to be nagged. And as the story goes, White booked this match because Toney wouldn't stop following him to every UFC show.

Most people think Toney is a little off. But he has been a bad man in the ring for a long time.

And White is just the kind of guy who you don't want to follow around, for several reasons.

One of which is, he might give you what you're asking for.

So let's countdown the top 15 other athletes who might think they can make the transition over to MMA.

**(Before you write in and tell me that no MMA guy would have a problem with a non-MMA guy, I know that. We are putting forward the assumption that these 15 would get top-of-the-line training before entering into the match).

15. Serena Williams

I know there isn't a UFC female division and Dana White has said that he has no plans of adding one.

But StrikeForce has one.

And the Strikeforce Women's Middleweight Champion is Chris "Cyborg."

I don't pay for much pay-per-view, but I would pay for her to fight Serena.

But Serena has to be able to bring her racket. And maybe her sister.

And Gina Carano.

Cyborg looks tough.

14. Nate Robinson

If you are a barely 5'7" NBA dunk champion and built like a bulldog, there is a good chance you have a little scrap in you.

His legs are like tree trunks, and I bet with a little training, Nate would hold his own.

13. Joey Porter

Porter has been threatening to beat guys up in the league for years.

Let's see him put up or shut up, finally.

All kidding aside, he is big enough to do some damage to someone if he had some training.

12. Bernard Hopkins

The "Executioner" has always been intimidating. But he might be a little long in the tooth nowadays.

But he's always been crafty. And scary.

11. Mike Tyson

He used to be the "baddest man on the planet," but now he is a kinder, gentler Mike.

But what if he could muster up some of that old magic just one more time?

10. John Cena

I'm sure he's tired of hearing how fake wrestling is. This would be his chance to prove himself.

There have been others who have made the transition. Brock Lesnar for one.

Maybe it's his time.

9. Brittney Griner

She is still growing and can already windmill dunk.

She'll have the height and reach advantage.

And we already know she can throw a punch.

What?

Too soon?

I think Cyborg might have her hands full with Griner.

8. Barry Bonds

Don't laugh. He was and probably still is one of the meanest guys around.

What if he's still training?

What if he uses all that anger that he has for Bud Selig, the fans and Congress, and bottles it up and gets ready for a match?

Yeah, you wouldn't watch it, right?

7. Zdeno Chara

Chara is 6'9" and one of the toughest guys in the league. He has a hair trigger and isn't afraid to drop gloves at any time.

I haven't seen him lose many fights.

6. Ray Lewis

You get the feeling if Ray had to fight in the MMA, he would use every trick in the book to get the upper hand.

If you had to meet an NFL player in a dark alley, who would you least want to meet?

5. Vitali Klitschko

He's the heavyweight champ and knows how to take a beating. Not to mention he has a PhD, so he'd be smart enough to pick up some moves with some training.

He is 6'7" and well over 200 lbs, and I think he would make a smooth transition.

4. Ron Artest

Who wouldn't want to see "Queensbridge" represented?

Ron Ron is tough and takes no mess.

He might break a few rules, but he would make for a great match.

And the best part? No hard feelings afterwards.

Ask Kobe.

3. Wladimir Klitschko (tie)

He is five years younger and most would say a better fighter than his brother. They are just about the same size and he holds more heavyweight belts than Vitali.

The only two stipulations I think he would have:

1) He would not fight his brother. He won't do it in the boxing ring and he wouldn't do it in MMA.

2) He wouldn't want his current WAG, Hayden Pannettiere, to see him get all bloody.

And if you've never watched "Heroes"...

This Is Hayden Panettiere

You'd fight for her, right?

3. Sofoklis Schortsanitis Aka Big Sofo (tie)

If you have read this story, you already know Big Sofo is no one to mess with.

At 6'10", 370 lbs, he is formidable.

And there might not be anything scarier than to see the big guy coming for you.

Ask Krstic.

2. Cam Janssen

According to hockeyfights.com, Janssen had two of the best fights of the year.

If it's good enough for hockeyfights, it's good enough for me.

1. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq has already hinted at wanting to try MMA. I figure a trained fighter would go for his knees, so he might be in trouble if that happened.

But I suggest you don't miss.