The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

NFL vet, pro wrestler successful with Strikeforce

Big Blue shine  in tourney debut
2/14/12
Monday's prep results; Tuesday's schedule
2/14/12
High school boys state basketball poll
2/13/12
Prep basketball: Fairfield isn’t ducking top seed
2/12/12
College basketball: MUH men win regular-season finale
2/12/12
> More sports headlines

By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 11:35 PM Sunday, January 31, 2010

SUNRISE, Fla. — Strikeforce’s calculated gamble paid off in a big way Saturday, Jan. 30, with the successful promotional debuts of former NFL great Herschel Walker and WWE/TNA pro wrestler Bobby Lashley.

Both heavyweight fighters competed on the Showtime-televised main card of “Strikeforce: Miami” at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. And though both are still green when it comes to mixed martial arts, their involvement helped create an influx of mainstream-media exposure for the quickly growing fight promotion.

Walker, 47, made his pro debut at the event. The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, 1992 U.S. Olympic bobsledder and lifelong tae kwon do student defeated Greg Nagy (1-2) via third-round TKO in a dominating performance.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker praised Walker’s quick grasp of the fight game, his countless media appearances to promote the event, and his decision to donate his entire six-figure fight purse to charity.

“He’s just an impressive guy,” Coker said.

Not to be outdone, Lashley, a former WWE United States champion who now performs for rival TNA wrestling, moved to 5-0 in his young MMA career with a first-round TKO over Lancaster-based veteran Wes Sims (22-13-1).

While Walker’s fight may be a one-time deal, 33-year-old Lashley plans to make a legit run at a title.

“He’s got a ton of potential,” Coker said, adding Lashley could next fight Brett Rogers (10-1).

WEC 47 card  continues to grow

World Extreme Cagefighting officials announced a host of new matchups for the WEC 47 event March 6 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

The WEC, which is a sister promotion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, makes its Ohio debut with a headliner between WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles (8-0) and Dominick Cruz (14-1).

Undercard bouts announced this past week include Chad George (11-4) vs. Scott Jorgensen (8-3), Anthony Pettis (8-1) vs. Danny Castillo (8-2), Karen Darabedyan (9-1) vs. Bart Palaszewski (33-13), Chad Mendes (5-0) vs. Erik Koch (8-0), and Bryan Caraway (14-4) vs. Fredson Paixao (8-3).

Darabedyan vs. Palaszewski is one of four bouts scheduled to air live on Versus.

Fighters get nod  from BusinessWeek

BusinessWeek recently named Strikeforce heavyweight and famed Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko (31-1), as well as UFC heavyweight champion and former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar (4-1), as two of the 100 most powerful athletes in sports.

Emelianenko ranked No. 82 and Lesnar No. 96 in the poll, which took into account overall performance and marketability/earning potential.

Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Phil Mickelson took the top spots in the poll.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 and 2009 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.

Share this article