Lashley vs. Shamrock

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Petruzelli Out; Shamrock-Lashley to Headline 'March Badness'
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Press Release
Media Press Release

POSTED: March 5, 2009 - 4:03 pm

CATEGORIES: MMA

PENSACOLA, Fla. (March 5, 2009) – Living legend Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock battles Bobby Lashley in the main event of the mixed-martial-arts portion of the March 21st pro boxing/MMA hybrid pay-per-view event at the Pensacola Civic Center.

Eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) headlines the show, presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center, against 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs).

Shamrock-Lashley, featuring an intriguing match-up between an MMA icon (Shamrock) and the hottest new combat fighter (Lashley), replaces the originally announced MMA main event featuringSeth “The Silverback” Petruzelli and Doug “Rhino” Marshall because Petruzelli pulled-out due to an injury suffered during training.

“I’ve done a lot of firsts,” Shamrock commented. “I was the first heavyweight champ of MMA and first foreign champ in Japan. This is the first time two champions (Jones and Shamrock) in their individual sports, at this level, will be fighting on the same card – boxing and MMA. I think it’s the way of the future and it’s happening now. Lashley got things going in wrestling and then the WWE. Now he’s in MMA. He’s very good. I think he’s 270-pounds of muscle – quick, explosive and strong. The area he lacks, gound skills, he makes up for with his strength and ability to move on the ground. He can really move on his feet. This isn’t a fat guy laying on his back.”

The unique pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer's Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

“I am excited to be part of this card alongside Roy Jones, Jr. and Square Ring Promotions,” Lashley said. “I am looking forward to fighting an experienced opponent like Ken Shamrock and showing the fans that Bobby Lashley is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. I am going to come out from the opening bell and show Ken Shamrock and the rest of the world that Bobby Lashley is not someone you want to mess with.”

Lion’s Den founder Shamrock (27-13-2, 2 KOs, 23 Submissions), fighting out of San Diego, was the original UFC Superfight and King of the Pancrase MMA champion. Ken dominated the UFC and Pancrase for years, defeating a Who’s Who of MMA stars including Bas Rutten (twice), Masakatsu Funaki (twice), Dan Severn and Kimo Leopoldo (twice), as well as fighting Royce Gracie to a draw.

In 1997, Shamrock joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was a star there for three years, returning to MMA with Pride Fighting Championships until 2002, when he returned to the UFC. An outstanding athlete who was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, Ken won his last bout by first-round submission (arm bar) this past February 13 against Ross Clifton.

Lashley (1-0, 1 KO) is a true physical specimen, standing 6-3 and weighing 265 pounds, which helped him become a 3-time NCAA champion (1996-98) and 4-time All-America wrestler at Missouri Valley College. After graduating from college, Bobby joined the U.S. Army and was a 2-time Armed Forces Champion and 2002 Military Games Championship silver medalist.

Two years ago, Lashley became a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, highlighted at Wrestlemania 23 as a representative of Donald Trump in a bet against WWE president Vince McMahon. Lashley won the match and helped Trump shave McMahon’s head in the ring. Bobby made his MMA debut last December 13, stopping Joshua Franklin only 0.41 into the opening round.

The MMA co-feature pits two world-class grapplers, former IFL heavyweight champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-6, 6 KOs, 4 Submissions) against former UFC title challenger Jeff “The Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs’ 15 Submissions).