Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com confirms that Strikeforce has finally found an opponent for Bobby Lashley in the form of UFC Veteran and TUF alumnus Wes Sims:
With just over a week to go until Strikeforce hits Miami for their next event, former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley finally has an opponent. Former “Ultimate Fighter” and UFC veteran, Wes Sims, has been tapped to step in and face Lashley in a heavyweight bout on the main card.
Strikeforce official, Mike Afromowitz, confirmed the bout to MMAWeekly.com on Friday saying the fight has been finalized for next Saturday’s card.
Lashley has gone through the ringer over the last 2 weeks waiting for the final word on an opponent. Originally, he was set to face Yohan Banks, but the fight was not approved by the Florida Athletic Commission and then veteran fighter, Jimmy Ambriz, got the call, but was removed from the fight for unknown reasons.
Payout Perspective:
Lashley’s name has been in the MMA headlines a lot lately, but it’s hardly a sign that he’s the next Brock Lesnar. He doesn’t have the wrestling pedigree, nor the polarizing fan appeal of Lesnar. Moreover, the back and forth that he’s had with Strikeforce and TNA could potentially hurt him as the inconsistency wears on fans of both sports.
The Sims fight should be a solid test, but he’ll have a huge advantage in the fitness and athleticism department over a fighter that’s taking the bout on short notice and has had problems with cardio at the best of times throughout his career.
it would be more of a “solid test” if sims had 4-5 weeks notice to train for this fight imo. iv’e read that he hasn’t been training at all and that he is scheduled to fight tim sylvia in a few months. i would lol if sims caught lashley in a quick guillotine. iv’e always felt lashley is only involved in mma to help further his wrasslin career than the other way around.