Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
by Kid Nate on May 8, 2008 8:15 PM EDT
in MMA News
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Sam Caplan at 5oz does some speculating based on Dave Meltzer's report that Lashley's non-compete deal with WWE is expiring:
Being a former WWE U.S. champion and ECW heavyweight champion is meaningless when it comes to MMA, but I think his credentials as a former NAIA wrestling champion in college and his past training at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. are very relevant. The fact that he also served the U.S. as a member of its Army is also a plus for him.
At age 31, time is against Lashley. However, he has an existing fanbase thanks to his WWE background and he's really a great athlete. He's without question someone who could really make some money for an MMA promotion if he was managed properly.
Unlike most of the fighters out there on the free-agent market -- Fedor, Barnett, Arlovski, Tim Sylvia -- Lashley comes with a built-in audience in the U.S.
If I was Dana White or Gary Shaw I'd be on the phone with Lashley RIGHT NOW offering him anything he wants to fight for me.
Update [2008-5-9 10:4:18 by Kid Nate]:
I don't get to say this often, but it looks like my lack of knowledge about contemporary pro-wrestling has bitten me in the ass. Word from the mouth-breathers is that Lashley isn't popular enough with the knuckle-dragging set to be an immediate draw. Ah well. Guess its around this time that I start accusing people of being racist.
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Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
by BeerMonster on May 8, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
by Brent Brookhouse on May 9, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
I don't know that Lashley couldn't be a better fighter, but was just making the point that he doesn't have that same level of "must sign him now" that Lesnar did based on his lack of drawing power in comparison. Honestly if I were the UFC the only reason I'd sign him would be to put him in with Lesnar because THAT would draw.
by Brent Brookhouse on May 9, 2008 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
He does have a (real) wrestling background, he does have some manner of draw among the wrestling fans, even if it is significantly less than Brock Lesnar's draw, and he looks like a man who could beat up a lot of folks. In the best case scenario, he ends up being a good fighter and all of his other assets help make both him and the MMA organization he might sign with some money. In the worst case scenario, he's Bob Sapp sans the promo ability; a large body that you can feed to the lions and promote the victory as meaningful to the casuals while the hardcores scoff, look down their noses, of pass out while yelling profanities, forgetting that they are also mouth breathers.
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
I'm not saying that there isn't a large portion of the crowd that is made up of "mouth-breathers" but seriously man...
by Brent Brookhouse on May 9, 2008 11:01 AM EDT reply actions
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
Re: Bobby Lashley Coming to MMA?
I don't personally have the ability to suspend disbelief long enough to watch pro wrestling (though I watch plenty of other crap entertainment), so I'm certainly not able to judge what it is that people like about pro wrestling. So what is it, Brent?
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