Lashley, Lombard Sign with PFC
Loretta Hunt Jan 3, 2009
Former WWE pro wrestler Bobby
Lashley and Cuban judo import Hector
Lombard have been signed to compete on a mixed boxing and
Palace Fighting Championship card on Feb. 6 at the Tachi Palace
Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
Opponents for both acquisitions have yet to be determined.
Lashley, 32, has inked a two-fight deal with the PFC as he builds
his resume towards a heavyweight title bout. Lashley already has a
role model in former WWE champion Brock
Lesnar (3-1), who toppled Randy
Couture at UFC 91 last November to become heavyweight
champion.
Middleweight Lombard (17-2-1) has signed on for a single bout with the central Californian promotion and will then join the Bellator Fighting Championships, which will air on ESPN Deportes starting in April.
Colorado resident Lashley, who recently announced his allegiance to the formidable American Top Team, made a speedy MMA debut last month for the Mixed Fighting Alliance in Miami, stifling Joshua Franklin in only 41 seconds with a TKO stoppage via a cut from elbows in the guard.
PFC promoter Christian Printup will be entrusted with finding an opponent for the 6-foot-3, 265-pound prospect.
“We sent over a short list of names –- some WEC veterans and other local Californian fighters,” said Printup. “We should know shortly.”
Lombard tallied six wins and a draw for Australia’s Cage fighting Championships and was expected to make his U.S. debut with EliteXC before the promotion stalled last October. Lombard was also once a prospect for the UFC, who booked the foreigner for a bout with fellow judoka Karo Parisyan at UFC 78 in November 2007, but visa issues prevented the Australian resident from participating.
Printup said the skilled Lombard could be paired against local standout Fernando Gonzalez (13-6), who holds victories over UFC and Pride vet Alex Stiebling and ShoXC grad Hector Urbina.
Jeff Sherwood contributed to this report.
Opponents for both acquisitions have yet to be determined.
Advertisement
Middleweight Lombard (17-2-1) has signed on for a single bout with the central Californian promotion and will then join the Bellator Fighting Championships, which will air on ESPN Deportes starting in April.
Lashley was a three-time NAIA National Champion at 177 pounds, a
four-time All-American honors four times, a three-time National
Amateur Wrestling Champion, a two-time Armed Forces Champion and a
2002 Silver Medalist at the Military World Championship, according
to the NAIA Web site.
Colorado resident Lashley, who recently announced his allegiance to the formidable American Top Team, made a speedy MMA debut last month for the Mixed Fighting Alliance in Miami, stifling Joshua Franklin in only 41 seconds with a TKO stoppage via a cut from elbows in the guard.
PFC promoter Christian Printup will be entrusted with finding an opponent for the 6-foot-3, 265-pound prospect.
“We sent over a short list of names –- some WEC veterans and other local Californian fighters,” said Printup. “We should know shortly.”
Lombard tallied six wins and a draw for Australia’s Cage fighting Championships and was expected to make his U.S. debut with EliteXC before the promotion stalled last October. Lombard was also once a prospect for the UFC, who booked the foreigner for a bout with fellow judoka Karo Parisyan at UFC 78 in November 2007, but visa issues prevented the Australian resident from participating.
Printup said the skilled Lombard could be paired against local standout Fernando Gonzalez (13-6), who holds victories over UFC and Pride vet Alex Stiebling and ShoXC grad Hector Urbina.
Jeff Sherwood contributed to this report.
Related Articles
