MMA icon Bobby Lashley will be locking horns with Dan Charles on 19th June at Bellator 138. The American professional wrestler has been in contract with many MMA and Wrestling promotions in the past. Lashley rose to fame when he kicked off his career with WWE, later grabbing the United States champion belt. He also picked up the ECW World championship title twice.
Lashley started his wrestling career in college and picked up three amateur wrestling championships there. During the year 1997 and 1998, he remained NAIA national wrestling champion. He, later joined the US army but continued his wrestling there as well.
Wrestling Career
World Wrestling Entertainment:
Lashley spent a good portion of his professional career in the World Wrestling Entertainment. Here is a brief review of his WWE career.
2003
In the year 2003, Lashley started training for the Olympics. He was working in a bank then where a robbery broke out and during the incident he injured his knee. It shattered all of Lashley’s Olympic dreams which forced him to proceed to Pro-wrestling.
2004-2008
Lashley entered the World Wrestling Entertainment in 2004. For two years he remained part of Ohio Valley wrestling, later he moved to United States championship and remained there until 2006. In 2006, he moved to ECW World championship, around 2007-08, but despite all efforts was unable to acquire the WWE championship. He left WWE in Feb 2008 to move on with his career.
2008
Lashley went back to wrestling after leaving WWE and gave spectacular performance in a fight under the Triplemania XVI banner held under the Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion.
2009-10
In 2009, Lashley went back to professional wrestling and joined TNA wrestling where he fought for the next two years.
2010
After ending his relation with TNA in 2010 he continued his career in the independent circuit which is still in progress.
2014
In 2014, Lashley joined TNA once again where he still fights occasionally.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Lashley is a man of many talents, widely considered as jack of all trades. He has mastered both wrestling and mixed martial arts.
Mixed Fighting Alliance:
Lashley made his MMA debut in December 2008 from Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA) where he won his first fight against Anthony Joshua hence laying foundation for another impressive career track.
Strikeforce:
Around 2010-11, Lashley remained part of the Strikeforce.
Titan Fighting Championship:
In 2011, Lashley was signed by Titan Fighting Championship where he remained till the mid of 2013.
Shark Fights:
Lashley later moved on to Shark Fight and signed a three years deal. He rose to the title of Heavyweight champion in the Shark Fight.
Bellator MMA:
Lashley entered a deal with the Bellator which marked the very new beginning of his career in MMA. During his debuting fight in September 2014, he successfully brought down his opponent Josh Burns in the UFC 123. He later participated in the Bellator 130 where he defeated Karl Etherington.
Career Record:
Lashley has participated in 14 professional fights so far and won 12 out of them with two losses. His victories include 7 submissions, 2 knockouts and 3 decisions.
Upcoming Fight:
Lashley is now gearing up for a fight against Dan Charles on 19th June at the Bellator 138. Lashley’s broad experience in different martial arts and wrestling organizations give him an edge over his opponent and makes him the favourite for the upcoming fight. However, only time will tell if Lashley can put his experience to his advantage.
