Lashley-Griggs Greenlit for Strikeforce ‘Houston’
Brian Knapp Jul 16, 2010
Former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Bobby
Lashley will meet International Fight League veteran Chad Griggs
in a featured heavyweight duel at Strikeforce
“Houston” on Aug. 21 at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Strikeforce officials on Friday made Sherdog.com aware of the
matchup.
A four-time collegiate national wrestling champion, Lashley last appeared in January, when he stopped UFC veteran Wes Sims on first-round punches at Strikeforce “Miami” in Sunrise, Fla. The 34-year-old American Top Team-trained heavyweight has finished four of his first five opponents inside one round. Lashley holds notable victories against Bob Sapp and Jason Guida, brother of former Strikeforce lightweight champion Clay Guida.
Griggs will carry a three-fight winning streak into his promotional debut. Based in Tucson, Ariz., the 32-year-old firefighter has not competed since he knocked out Jon Alexander with elbows under the Rumble in Wyoming banner in April 2009. In nine professional bouts, Griggs has never gone the distance. He owns six first-round finishes among his eight wins, including 18-, 43- and 62-second victories.
A pair of five-round title fights will headline Strikeforce “Houston,” as light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal defends his crown against Rafael Feijao and Ronaldo Souza meets Tim Kennedy for the vacant middleweight belt. The event will also feature a showdown between former EliteXC lightweight champion Karl James Noons and UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel.
A four-time collegiate national wrestling champion, Lashley last appeared in January, when he stopped UFC veteran Wes Sims on first-round punches at Strikeforce “Miami” in Sunrise, Fla. The 34-year-old American Top Team-trained heavyweight has finished four of his first five opponents inside one round. Lashley holds notable victories against Bob Sapp and Jason Guida, brother of former Strikeforce lightweight champion Clay Guida.
Griggs will carry a three-fight winning streak into his promotional debut. Based in Tucson, Ariz., the 32-year-old firefighter has not competed since he knocked out Jon Alexander with elbows under the Rumble in Wyoming banner in April 2009. In nine professional bouts, Griggs has never gone the distance. He owns six first-round finishes among his eight wins, including 18-, 43- and 62-second victories.
A pair of five-round title fights will headline Strikeforce “Houston,” as light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal defends his crown against Rafael Feijao and Ronaldo Souza meets Tim Kennedy for the vacant middleweight belt. The event will also feature a showdown between former EliteXC lightweight champion Karl James Noons and UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel.
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