Lashley, Diaz Added to 'EA Sports MMA' Game

EA Sports announced additional signings for its “EA Sports MMA” interactive arts video game on Wednesday via its Twitter account. Former WWE champion and current TNA star Bobby Lashley, as well as Strikeforce standouts Nick Diaz, Marius Zaromskis, Joe Riggs and Melvin Manhoef have all been added to the game’s roster.

All five fighters will compete at Strikeforce “Miami” this Saturday at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. EA Sports will also live stream a Saturday undercard bout between Riggs and Jay Hieron, also signed to the game, on its MMA page at 9:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. PST.

In addition, Strikeforce will be featured as a “premiere league” in the game, which is scheduled to be released in September 2010.

The latest round of signees join already-signed talents Randy Couture, Brett Rogers, Jake Shields, Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Jay Hieron, Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and Strikeforce middleweights Benji Radach and Tim Kennedy have also announced their involvement with the game in past interviews, though they have not been officially announced.

Strikeforce commentators Mauro Ranallo and Frank Shamrock, as well as ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, will represent their real-life roles in the game. Iconic referee “Big” John McCarthy will oversee the pixilated fights.

EA Sports said in November that the company is still recruiting fighters and personalities for the game, which could include additional international athletes, as well as female fighters.

“EA Sports MMA” Participants

Fedor Emelianenko
Randy Couture
Gegard Mousasi
Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Jay Hieron
Tim Sylvia
Benji Radach
Tim Kennedy
Jason "Mayhem" Miller
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal
Frank Shamrock
Cung Le
Scott Smith
Josh Thomson
Gilbert Melendez
Matt Lindland
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
Robbie Lawler
Nick Thompson
Hidehiko Yoshida
Shinya Aoki
Bobby Lashley
Nick Diaz
Marius Zaromskis
Joe Riggs
Melvin Manhoef
Frank Shamrock
Mauro Ranallo
Jimmy Lennon
“Big” John McCarthy