James Toney to make UFC debut in Boston, UFC 118

James Toney, former heavyweight boxing champion, will make his UFC debut at UFC 118, slated for Aug. 28 at TD Garden in Boston, according to reports and TheSteelCage.net sources. Toney will face former UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture in a talent-laden card which will be UFC’s first in Boston.

The show will also feature a rematch between B.J. Penn and Frankie Edgar for Edgar’s lightweight championship. Kenny Florian will fight Gray Maynard in what many expect to be a No. 1 contender’s bout to face the winner of Penn-Edgar. Joe Lauzon is also rumored to be on the card.

Toney (right), who is 41 years old, last boxed Sept. 12, knocking out Matt Greer in the second round. Toney hasn’t lost a fight since 2007, when Samuel Peter won a unanimous decision, in a rematch for a split-decision that also went for Peter.

UFC 118 will be Toney’s first MMA fight, up against Couture, an accomplished wrestler who one can assume will try to take the boxer to the mat.

Couture wrestled as an alternate on three Olympic teams and was a three-time All American at Oklahoma State University.