Lashley’s Delusions

No question: Bobby Lashley is a tough guy. Strong, NAIA wrestling credentials, and tied up with American Top Team. He scrapes the upper end of the 265-pound heavyweight limit. 5-0. Healthy ego.

That last part is becoming a problem.

Lashley is quite possibly the most rudderless fighter in the sport. He doesn’t want to fight nobodies, as he told HDNet’s “Inside MMA” last Friday, but jumping into a fight with Fedor Emelianenko (his preference) would be insulting even by Strikeforce’s meager standards. Lashley is a prospect, but you don’t get fights based on potential. The promotion has a surplus of mid-tier heavyweights that would help establish his place. He wants a shortcut. He’s in desperate need of an advisor.

What can he do? He could fight an Andrei Arlovski, an Antonio Silva, or Brett Rogers. He could see if his size would be enough to overcome the more substantial wrestling ability of Daniel Cormier. He could grasp the idea that he hasn’t fought since the beginning of the year and that fans perceive his overblown appetite for big fights to be undeserved. He could acknowledge that he’s still a rookie in the sport and that his fights should be determined by the promoter.

Lashley could argue that Brock Lesnar, another legitimate grappler, got his title bid in only three fights. But at least he beat a veteran in Heath Herring, and very nearly finished Frank Mir before making a rookie mistake. The cold reality is that Lesnar is a massive draw and can expedite his career; Lashley has yet to prove he can even deliver ratings above the norm. If pro wrestling is more about talking than ring time, it’s no wonder he was such a star.