Strikeforce signs Ex-WWE star and undefeated MMA prospect

[Soda Popinski]

Strikeforce signs Ex-WWE star and undefeated MMA prospect Bobby Lashley

After months of speculation about a potential signing, Strikeforce overnight made it official and announced Bobby Lashley has inked a multi-year contract.

The 33-year-old will make his promotional debut on the Jan. 30 "Strikeforce: Miami" card as part of the night's Showtime broadcast, though no opponent has been revealed.

Lashley (4-0), a former champion for World Wrestling Entertainment who now performs for Total Nonstop Action, is undefeated since his move to mixed martial arts.

"Strikeforce: Miami" takes place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.

"I'm looking forward to fighting for Strikeforce and challenging myself by taking on some of the top heavyweights in MMA," Lashley stated.

MMAjunkie.com (http://sports.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Aj0Ycbl5D5N5mTbX.EYm85etEo14) (www.mmajunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com)) reported (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Av8Hfe1ArPx0NBijjQd_UOKtEo14/SIG=13fcjea4g/**http%3A//mmajunkie.com/news/17109/mmajunkie-com-fight-biz-fight-life-documentary-aims-to-be-real-and-raw.mma) just this week that Lashley, a decorated amateur wrestler and two-time NAIA national champion, was still under contract to the Nashville, Tenn.-based Prize Fight MMA and that the promotion seemed intent on getting those fights. It's not known how Strikeforce worked around the issue, and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lashley made his pro MMA debut in December 2008 and most recently scored a first-round victory (due to strikes) over NFL veteran and K-1 kickboxer/MMA fighter Bob Sapp. All but one of Lashley's career wins (a decision win over Jason Guida) have come via first-round stoppage.

The latest "Strikeforce: Miami" card now includes:



Nick Diaz vs. TBA (possibly for vacant welterweight title)
Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. TBA (for 145-pound women's title)
Jay Hieron vs. TBA*
Bobby Lashley vs. TBA
Herschel Walker vs. TBA

* - Not officially announced

For complete coverage of "Strikeforce in Miami (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ap5BqJjsY82ntg2ITjPK.g2tEo14/SIG=11urpupln/**http%3A//mmajunkie.com/event/677/strikeforce-in-florida.mma)," stay tuned to the MMA Rumors (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ahlg3q9oP6Xk_SK_Zttx0nitEo14/SIG=11elpti2o/**http%3A//mmajunkie.com/Events.aspx%3Frumors) section of MMAjunkie.com.
Check out more UFC News (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsTP4NWf3uU3J80HIKdUVP6tEo14/SIG=10quqj7e7/**http%3A//mmajunkie.com/) at MMAjunkie.com. This story originally appeared on MMAjunkie.com (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Arzz.qJ1.ojhp6p.CI8HwZWtEo14/SIG=13gsffk2s/**http%3A//mmajunkie.com/news/17166/strikeforce-signs-ex-wwe-star-and-undefeated-mma-prospect-bobby-lashley.mma) and is syndicated on Yahoo! Sports as part of a content-partnership deal between the two sites.

[Savio]

:):y:

[Vastardikai]

How long until he chokes out an opponent with a Rest Hold, again?

[DrA]

Could have just said "Strikeforce signs Bobby Lashley".

[redoneja]

Could have just said "Strikeforce signs Bobby Lashley".


For real, I thought he was talking about Kwang.

[YOUR Hero]

Been out of pro-wrestling so long, I don't have a clue who Bobby Lashley is

[The Mackem]

Do you remember Batista, Hero?

[Savio]

For real, I thought he was talking about Kwang.
He could have been talking about Angle....maybe?

[Soda Popinski]

Been out of pro-wrestling so long, I don't have a clue who Bobby Lashley is

aka Black Lesnar

[Vastardikai]

For real, I thought he was talking about Kwang.

Kwang? I thought he was talking about Leif Cassidy

[Savio]

aka Black LesnarI remember when i thought of that.....im sure countless other have thought of it to though

[Dave Youell]

This could be kind of interesting.

As Strikeforce is competition for UFC

And TNA is currently on Spike TV, potentially TNA would be hyping up Bobby's fights on the same network that holds MMA's direct competition.

Conflict of interests.....

[Savio]

lol never thought of that....Rosario looks like a really tough opponent for him though

[Soda Popinski]

This could be kind of interesting.

As Strikeforce is competition for UFC

And TNA is currently on Spike TV, potentially TNA would be hyping up Bobby's fights on the same network that holds MMA's direct competition.

Conflict of interests.....

I think he said if he is going to get a good deal then he will focus all his attention on MMA and quit any involvement with professional wrestling.

[Dave Youell]

I think he said if he is going to get a good deal then he will focus all his attention on MMA and quit any involvement with professional wrestling.

Honestly, I wouldn't care. TNA don't need him, and he's only over in Florida, he was boo'd out of the building in California