Ken Shamrock out, Jason Guida in as Bobby Lashley’s next MMA opponent

It hasn’t been a very good run for UFC hall of famer and MMA pioneer Ken Shamrock of late.  In March of 2008 he lost his fifth straight fight to journeyman Robert Berry on a ‘Cage Rage’ card in England.  In October 2008, he was supposed to fight Kimbo Slice on an EliteXC prime time TV event, but had to pull out due to a cut.  He did manage to beat Ross Clifton—a fighter with a 6-9 career record-- on a low profile event in February and then signed to fight former WWE pro wrestling superstar Bobby Lashley on March 21.  Unfortunately, his postfight drug test after the Clifton bout came back positive and he’s been suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission.

That sent promoters scrambling for a last minute replacement and after negotiations broke down with former heavyweight boxing champion Hasim Rahman and MMA legend Don Frye, they settled on veteran Jason Guida.  Guida, best known for being the brother of UFC lightweight contender Clay Guida, hasn’t been doing too well of late either having lost three straight and six of his last nine fights.  He’s also fought most of his career at welterweight, which doesn’t bode well for his prospects against the physically imposing Lashley. 

One thing that Guida does have that the 6’1 250 pound Lashley doesn’t is experience.  This will be Guida’s 38^th professional fight, while only the second for MMA newcomer Lashley.  Guida says that he’s not concerned about taking the bout on such short notice:

“I’m always training and this has become my MO. I do a lot of short notice fights, where I’ve been most successful, and this fight fell into my lap. I’ve always made the best of it and I plan on doing the same Saturday night in Pensacola. I want to fight the top guys; Lashley may not be a top guy but he’s a top name, and beating him will put me on the map again.”

Guida is also not worried about the size differential:

“Size doesn’t matter. I’ve had my best fights against big guys and put my hands on guys bigger than Bobby. I wrestled (UFC heavyweight champion) Brock Lesnar in junior college. I don’t think Lashley has the background or knows how to put his body into MMA as well as Lesnar. MMA is new to Bobby. I don’t have anything against him. Someday he could be good for MMA. I welcome him, after I beat him, to work at our club (Hellhouse) to learn how to fight. Lashley’s going to find out that this is MMA not WWE. He’s in for a rude awakening, which probably will be a good thing -- he’ll be fighting a real MMA guy. I don’t wish him any ill harm, in fact, I wish him the best because beating him will look even better if he goes on to succeed in MMA. ”

While Lashley’s in-ring experience may be limited it’s worth noting that he trains in Florida with American Top Team, considered one of the best gyms in the sport.  Some of his ATT teammates include Gesias Cavalcante, WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown and Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago.  Also on the hybrid boxing/MMA card will be a boxing main event featuring Roy Jones, Jr. and an intriguing MMA matchup between heavyweights Jeff Monson and Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson.