Ten for Toney: Ten potential match-ups for James Toney in the UFC

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When the UFC signed heavyweight boxing champion James Toney, they acquired not only a dynamic, outspoken puncher with dynamite in his hands, but an interesting problem for president Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva.

With the UFC's deep talent roster at their fingertips, who will make the most exciting match-ups for a heavy-handed boxer like Toney? And perhaps, more importantly, what are the fights that fans are going to want to see?

Toney has hired well-known MMA and boxing coach Juanito Ibarra, who has also trained Quinton Jackson, to prepare him for his MMA debut. Ibarra spoke to BleacherReport.com about his plans for Toney, and revealed that they already have strong interest in some potential future opponents.

"James Toney will fight anybody," Ibarra stated. "It's up to us to help him figure things out. What I would like to see and what his manager would like to see... Kimbo Slice. It makes sense. The weight factor makes sense. Maybe a 220 [lbs.] fight somewhere in there. Two guys who have great names. I would love to see that fight... I think that's a great opponent... Hopefully, the UFC would consider something like that."

Although currently fighting as a heavyweight, in the past, Toney has won boxing titles in three lighter weight classes, including middleweight. Compared to many of the fighters in the UFC's heavyweight division, Toney is not a large man, which has fueled speculation that he might consider a drop down to light-heavyweight in the future. 

A cut in weight is an idea Ibarra approves of.

"I like it," said Ibarra. "I think that's in the plan. I'd like to get him down to 205 and fight the winner of a Chuck and Tito (fight). Fights with Kimbo Slice and he goes on to fight the winner of a Chuck and Tito fight... I think it would sell and I think it would be a hell of a fight."

So with the stage being set for Toney to fight in the future in two possible weight classes, who is he likely to face when he steps into the Octagon? I'll count down 10 possibilities, from the likeliest to the simply intriguing.

Kimbo Slice. A bout between Kimbo Slice and James Toney is starting to look more and more like a foregone conclusion. Combine the comments of Toney's trainer Ibarra and the fact that Slice was pulled without comment from his planned UFC 113 match up against Matt Mitrione the same day Toney signed, and it seems like an official announcement may just be a matter of time. Although this fight would certainly be popular with many fans, the fact that Slice himself has rather raw MMA credentials and a sensational background, could lead some to question this selection. And unless Slice has been making rapid progress on his takedown skills, it's hard to imagine the night wouldn't end very badly for him when faced with a boxer of Toney's caliber.

Keith Jardine. Not long after the news first surfaced of Toney's interest in fighting for the UFC, the boxer claimed on ProFightNetwork.com he could beat any fighter in the UFC. It wasn't long before Jardine called his bluff, offering to put up his own purse if Toney beat him. Now that Toney has signed, it seems like this fight could become a possibility, and it would certainly offer an interesting match up for the fans. Jardine is looking to bounce back from his KO loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 110, and he would offer Toney the challenge of facing a seasoned MMA veteran. Add in the fact of their personal history, and you have a fight that would be easy to sell.  

Randy Couture.  Couture has wasted no time in calling out Toney, stating on his Twitter page "I hope I'm the first guy they call to fight tony ! :)" just a few hours after the boxer's signing was announced. It's a fight that would certainly have some appeal for the fans, but it would also carry a lot of risk for the UFC. Most likely, we would see Couture use his world-class wrestling skills to take down the inexperienced Toney and finish him on the ground. But the other possibility, that the boxing champ would catch the UFC legend with a big KO, could leave the UFC with both a literal and figurative black eye. If Toney manages to make his Octagon debut and beat one of the most famous men in UFC history, it could turn into a public relations nightmare, as well as taking away some of the luster from one of the UFC's most marketable fighters. 

Chuck Liddell. "The Iceman" is already committed to fighting Tito Ortiz at the conclusion of "The Ultimate Fighter" season 11, where the two men will act as coaches. But now that he has been called out by Ibarra as a potential future opponent for Toney, it certainly seems that it's a fight that could sell for the UFC. Toney would be a very dangerous match up for Liddell, as his vast boxing experience would offer a powerful counter to Liddell's brawling style. This is a fight that Liddell would be wise to decline, as he is most likely one violent knockout away from retirement.

Tito Ortiz. As stated above, Ortiz is already committed to fighting Liddell in June, but just like Liddell, he has now been called out by Toney's trainer. Given Ortiz's history, it seems unlikely that he will fail to respond. A Toney vs. Ortiz match up could be a big hit for the UFC. Ortiz is a great salesman for his fights, and he has few equals in trash-talking. Toney has already shown that he is no slouch in that department himself, and it seems likely that a match between the two would have an epic build up. Win or lose against Liddell, look for Ortiz to figure into Toney's future in the UFC.

Mirko Cro Cop. The Croatian striker famous for his devastating head kicks would make an intriguing match up for the heavyweight champ. Although Cro Cop has looked off his old Pride form lately, against an opponent like Toney, who could be depended on to keep the fight standing, he might be willing to unleash more of the fierce kicks that made him famous. This is a fight that would have brutal knockout written all over it, and it would likely keep the fans on the edge of their seats - but not for long.

Anderson Silva. Silva has long stated his desire to fight boxing star Roy Jones Jr. Couple this with his willingness to switch weight classes and his often-stated wish to compete in the biggest fights possible, and a match up between Silva and Toney becomes an interesting possibility. Silva has some of the best striking in MMA, but even he would have to respect the power in Toney's hands. This is another fight that would likely feature some violent striking and be unlikely to go the distance, and it would offer an exciting spectacle for the fans.

Cheick Kongo. Kongo possesses a vicious striking game but has struggled throughout his career with fighters who were able to take the fight to the ground. Against Toney, he would have no such worries. It would be a pure striking war, and would pose the question of how well Toney would be able to overcome the Frenchman's powerful kicks. For those of us who enjoy a high-octane striking contest, this match up would be a pure guilty pleasure.

Brandon Vera. Vera would have an opponent in Toney who could push the pace of the fight and have the power to finish business with a single punch - and it would be interesting to see how he responds. Vera has some devastating Muay Thai skills that led to a number of knockouts early in his career, but four of his last five fights have ended in decisions. Toney would give him the opportunity to showcase his kickboxing ability against an opponent who is a pure striker, and the results could be spectacular.

Roy Nelson. "Big Country" has showcased both his ground game and his stand up skills in his time in the Octagon and on "The Ultimate Fighter" season 10. Nelson never lacks self-confidence, and he brings a good game plan every time he fights. It would be in Nelson's best interests to take the fight to the ground as quickly as possible, but he has shown a willingness in the past to stand and bang. Would Toney be able to score a big knockout on "Big Country," or would he fall victim to the famous crucifix that Nelson has used to such good effect in the past?