· Lashley vs. Sims Official, Finalizes “Strikeforce: Miami” Event
It took longer than expected, but in an eleventh hour move Strikeforce finally came up with an opponent for Bobby Lashley’s Strikeforce debut: UFC veteran Wes Sims. The bout finalizes this week’s “Strikeforce: Miami” event, to be held at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The signing of the agreement completes the televised portion of the card, to be aired on premium cable channel Showtime this Saturday evening.
Lashley (4-0) has made a successful transition from WWE Superstar to up-and-coming mixed martial arts prospect. He debuted in December 2008 with a forty-one second TKO win over Joshua Franklin. He would then defeat Jason Guida (decision) and Mike Cook (submission). His biggest win was also his last, when he took on legendary Bob Sapp at “Ultimate Chaos” in June of last year. Lashley gave up a large size difference to the mammoth Sapp, but quickly brought “The Beast” down to the canvas and submitted him with punches.
Lashely took a while off after that win, to continue his training and make a brief foray back into professional wrestling. However, he could not pass up the opportunity to sign and fight for Strikeforce, the same organization that has the top heavyweight in the world on the roster. Now he will face Sims with less than ten days to prepare, a lofty challenge, especially against a fighter as experienced as Sims.
Sims (22-12-1) has always beckoned the spotlight, either through his antics in the cage or outside of it. However, he does present a serious challenge to the still developing Lashley. Sims also deserves credit for stepping in on such short notice, having to replace Yohan Banks, who was not approved by the Florida Athletic Commission. It was reported that veteran Jimmy Ambriz would get the call, but that fight seemingly fell through at the last minutes as well. In all though, this might just be the fight that Sims, Lashley, and Strikeforce wanted all along.
Saturday’s event features not only Lashley’s debut with the organization, but the professional debut of NFL Hall of Famer Herschel Walker. Of the rest of the main card bouts, two of the most feared strikers at middleweight take the cage, as “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will slug it out with Melvin Manhoef. Strikeforce’s women’s champion, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will defend her 145 pound title against Marloes Coenen. In the main event, Russian import Marius Zaromskis brings his 13-3 record, with the straight head kick knockouts, to meet Stockton, California bad boy Nick Diaz for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight championship title.
