After original opponent Yohan Banks was denied approval by the Florida State Boxing Commission, professional wrestling superstar Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley is now expected to face journeyman veteran Jimmy “The Titan” Ambriz at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30th. Ambriz steps into the fight on just two weeks’ notice.
The heavyweight bout marks the Strikeforce debut for both combatants, but Lashley will give up a huge experience edge to the well-travelled Ambriz, who has competed among the best throughout his nine-year career.
Lashley (4-0-0), who continues to maintain a career in professional wrestling for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, was originally set to face fellow undefeated prospect Shane del Rosario (9-0-0) on the card, but reports surfaced that suggested that Lashley’s camp had turned down the fight. He was then matched up against Banks (2-1-0) for his Strikeforce debut, but the FSBC deemed that the bout would not be competitive and refused to approve Banks’s participation.
Ambriz (14-12-1) won his first eight fights, but then went on a six-fight winless streak against the likes of former UFC Heavyweight Champions Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez. Ambriz has battled many of the top heavyweights in the sport, but has come up short in each of his most high-profile fights in the past. He has gone the distance just one time in 27 fights. An upset win over Lashley, while unlikely, would be tremendous for Ambriz’s career.
The heavyweight tilt is still expected to remain on the Strikeforce: Miami televised main card. The event is headlined by a Strikeforce Welterweight Championship bout between Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis and Nick Diaz, and also features a Strikeforce Women’s Lightweight (145-Pound) Championship fight between Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen.
Strikeforce: Miami takes place on January 30th at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. It will air live on Showtime in the U.S. and Super Channel in Canada.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)