BOBBY LASHLEY PUMMELS JASON GUIDA

Bobby Lashley didn’t get much of a test in his MMA debut against Joshua Franklin last December.  He started well, landing a series of punches only to have the bout stopped in under a minute due to a cut.  He got the TKO victory, but not much in the way of experience.  His second MMA bout on Saturday night against Jason Guida was a different matter as the tough veteran pushed Lashley to the distance.  Ultimately, Lashley won a unanimous decision victory but Guida had provided him some valuable ring mileage that will benefit him as his career progresses.

For Lashley, comparisons to current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar are inevitable.  Both men are physically imposing athletes who took impressive amateur wrestling pedigrees to the ‘sports entertainment’ venue of WWE professional wrestling.  Both enjoyed considerable success in the ‘worked’ environment of pro wrestling, but both wanted to return to a sport that provided legitimate competition.  MMA was the perfect choice for each man.

At this point, however, their paths diverge.  Lesnar was quickly signed by the UFC and pushed to the moon—to the point where he’s the reigning heavyweight champion despite having only four professional fights.  Lashley was spurned by the UFC, primarily because his background was too similar to Lesnar’s.  Instead, he began to train with the prestigious American Top Team in Florida and learn his craft.

Guida was a late replacement for veteran Ken Shamrock, who was forced out of the event after a positive test for performance enhancing drugs.  Guida was the third choice for his replacement, getting the gig after efforts to sign former boxing heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman and legendary MMA tough guy Don Frye proved fruitless.  Guida, the older brother of UFC lightweight contender Clay Guida, proved to be a good choice as he withstood a good deal of punishment from the monstrous Lashley while coming close to gaining a submission late in the fight.

The fight began with Lashley attempting takedowns and Guida doing an excellent job defending.  With his primary mode of attack frustrated, Lashley instead worked from the clinch and pummeled Guida inside.  He finally found some distance late in the round and was able to back his opponent up with some thunderous power punches.  Despite losing the round on all three judges’ scorecards, Guida impressed with his toughness and his takedown defense.

Lashley finally got a takedown early in the second, with a powerful slam that brought the live crowd to its feet.  He also landed some more punishing power shots whenever he could find the requisite spacing, but the wily veteran Guida did a good job of protecting himself both standing and on the ground.  Lashley landed some more nice power shots and a big knee strike early in the third, but soon found himself caught in a deep guillotine choke.  He survived the first serious test of his MMA career, and was able to pop his head out and reassert his ground advantage for the rest of the fight.  All three judges awarded him a 30-27 victory.

Afterwards, Lashley credited the toughness of his opponent and said his next move was ‘back to the gym’ to study the tape and work on improving as a fighter.   Lashley has a bright future in the sport, though could benefit from improving his ability to ‘finish’ fights.  He showed a lot of poise and never looked panicked, but needs to work on his ability to mount an offense against an opponent like Guida who is able to frustrate his straightforward power attacks.