The war has been raging on for quite sometime. To boxing fans, there are two kinds of people. There are fight fans, and then there are those idiots that watch two gay dudes roll around on a mat for fifteen minutes and call it fighting.

To us with half a brain, we realize that boxing is an integral part of MMA, and one that has gotten people far in the sport. Well, another Boxer is trying to make the crossover to the octagon, and for once, Dana White and the boys are biting. Today, they signed James Toney to a multi-fight deal, according to Mike Chiapetta of MMA Fighting.com:

After a long period of off-again, on-again courtship, the UFC has pulled the trigger and signed 41-year-old boxing champion James Toney.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the signing to MMA Fighting after it was first reported by FiveOuncesofPain.com.

Toney had actively campaigned for a contract from the UFC, following White around the country to several events and eventually meeting with him in Las Vegas. Toney reportedly turned down at least one contract offer before signing.

Asked when Toney would debut, White said he had “no idea.”

So, Dana White has repeatedly thrown mud towards Strikeforce for the idea of the “freak show” fight. He killed the Herschel Walker fight, and there are those that say that this is the same thing. Toney is out of his prime, seemingly out of shape, and lacks any sort of well-rounded game. He will stand in the middle of the cage and throw bombs, believing that he can knockout just about anyone out. Until he gets in the cage against a wrestler than puts him through the mat.

More than that, this whole courtship has had a bit of a carnival feel to it. From Toney following the UFC around the country, to his rants that you can’t understand, like this one:

Toney has seemingly “publicized” his way into the world’s largest MMA organization.

Is Dana wrong for this signing? Probably not. It’s not like Toney is a professional dancer wanting to fight without proper training. He is a professional boxer and what he lacks on the ground he will inevitably make up for with crisp standup. The problem will be remaining on his feet. Which I don’t believe he can do.

Look for Toney to be 1-2 and out of the UFC sooner than later. If they do keep him, it will be to market the brand to boxing fans.

Side note: Does anyone else really hope that James Toney does one of those videos calling me out and threatening to kick my ass? That would really make my day.