STRIKEFORCE SEEKING NEW OPPONENT FOR BOBBY LASHLEY AFTER FSBC DENIES YOHAN BANKS FOR JANUARY 30 "MIAMI" EVENT
Former WWE star and collegiate Wrestling Champion Bobby Lashley (4-0) is still without an opponent for his "Strikeforce: Miami" debut on Jan. 30 after the Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC) rejected a proposed match up against Yohan Banks at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. Strikeforce officials today confirmed with us that Lashley is still featured for the upcoming card and a search for a suitable replacement is currently underway.
The proposed bout was seen as "not competitive," likely based on Banks' recent inactivity. "The Body Snatcher" hasn't seen the inside of a cage since knocking out Michael Diaz at "Strikeforce: Young Guns 3" back in September 2008 - despite keeping busy as a pugilistic fighting out of his Undisputed Boxing Gym in California and compiling a 2-3-3 record in the sweet science. Nevertheless, he won't be appearing on the Jan. 30 card and it's now up to Strikeforce to reach into their reserve tank for a replacement.
"The Dominator," who also moonlights as a "face" for TNA Wrestling, entered the world of cage fighting back in Dec. 2008 as a co-headliner for South Florida's Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA). The 6'3" powerhouse needed just 41 seconds to extirpate Joshua Franklin via doctor's stoppage.
Of course comparisons to fellow ex-WWE and amateur wrestler Brock Lesnar quickly followed, as the pasty-faced Goliath needed just four fights to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship from Randy Couture just a month prior to Lashley's MMA debut. Those comparisons were quickly eradicated courtesy of Jason Guida at "March Badness" earlier this year. Most expected the American Top Team-trained fighter in just his second professional fight to steamroll the floundering journeyman. It didn’t happen.
Despite taking the unanimous decision victory, Lashley looked a bit green against the Ultimate Fighter washout and nearly succumbed to a Guillotine Choke in the third round of their Pay-Per-View contest. His inexperience was clearly evident.
What was also evident was his desire to fight - and improve. The Junction City, Kansas native took a fight against Mike Cook just two months later, submitting the Strikeforce veteran just 24-seconds into the first round at "MFC 21: Hard Knocks".
His most recent fight came against K-1 attraction Bob Sapp in the main event of "Ultimate Chaos" back on June 27. "The Beast" was put down in the first round via technical knockout and along with the quick win over Mike Cook, helped return some of the optimism to Lashley's future as a viable Heavyweight contender. Now all he needs is someone to answer his call.
"Strikeforce: Miami" features a main event between Nick Diaz and DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis for the promotion's vacant 170-pound world title. Female powerhouse Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos will put her 145-pound title on the line against Marloes Coenen in the co-featured fight of the night.
In addition, feared K-1 striker "Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef will make his Strikeforce debut opposite the power-punching "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler. And joining them on the card is the Welterweight showdown between Jay "The Thoroughbred" Hieron and Joe "Diesel" Riggs.
credit: MMAMania.com