Basic HTML Version
January - 2015
SCRAPP! FIGHT MAGAZINE
8
went 1-1, losing to a fel-
low prospect at the time,
Chad Griggs, who would
eventually join the UFC
as part of the Strikeforce
merger and wind up cut
after an unsuccessful drop
to light heavyweight.
Lashley, at that point, was
going a different direction,
fighting in smaller region-
al promotions as well as
making an appearance in
India’s Super Fight League
(marking his only other
professional MMA loss, a
decision to James Thomp-
son, who he will rematch
in Bellator early next year).
Lashley’s MMA career, to
date, has been largely suc-
cessful considering the
age at which he made the
transition, and the fact
that he has simultaneously
juggled a pro wrestling ca-
reer through a large part of
it. The 12-2 fighter trains
out of American Top Team
and is on a five-win streak
currently, winning his first
two bouts under the Bella-
tor banner. While his com-
petition level essentially
peaked with the two men
who have defeated him
thus far, he’s a legit mixed
martial artist who does
have a shot in Bellator’s
slim heavyweight division,
even if it’s a small one. And
if he doesn’t hit gold, there
are still options for Lash-
ley in Bellator. Aside from
the Thompson rematch,
there’s a big money fight
waiting for Lashley with
Cheick Kongo, for one.
Bobby Lashley’s MMA ca-
reer, however, has never
been the massive press
circus that Brock Lesnar’s
was. Maybe it’s because
Lesnar made the transi-
tion a year prior. Maybe
it’s because Lesnar fought
a higher level of competi-
tion and after just one pro
fight was in the UFC. Al-
most certainly, it’s because
Lesnar went on to be UFC
heavyweight
champion
while Lashley has flirted
with the limelight.
Then there’s CM Punk.
Punk’s signing in Decem-
ber by the UFC created a
media firestorm not seen
in the MMA world since,
well, Brock Lesnar. Punk,
unlike Lashley and Lesnar,
has no amateur wrestling
background. He’s not a
giant, imposing physical
specimen. He’s just a dedi-
cated guy, a huge fan of
the sport, a little bit out-
spoken and somewhat no-
torious — and as a result
of his pro wrestling fame,
he has the potential to
greatly boost the UFC’s
bottom line.
Bellator has certainly tak-
en note. Already in busi-
ness with Lashley, which
has worked out just fine
for them to date, they’re
eyeing the next Lashley, or
better yet, the next Punk.
The MMA rumor mill, al-
ways a whirlwind, had
them interested in Punk,
interested in Lesnar (whose
status with the WWE after
Wrestlemania 31 is still up
in the air), and interested
in former WWE champion
Alberto Del Rio.
That last name, at the very
least, was confirmed this
week by Scott Coker, who
stated that the organiza-
tion has had talks with the
Mexican star.
Before you roll your eyes,
consider this: Alberto Del
Rio has been in the ring
(the Pride ring, to be ex-
act), with none other than
Mirko Cro Cop. Sure, he
got head kicked into obliv-
ion, but he still fought Cro
Cop. Prime Crop Cop. He
just did it under another
name, Dos Caras Jr.
As Dos Caras Jr, Del Rio
(whose real name is ac-
tually José Alberto Rodrí-
guez) has a respectable 9-5
record, fighting in Pride,
Deep, and smaller promo-
tions. He hasn’t fought