Strikeforce Adds Lashley vs. Sims to Jan. 30 card

Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Miami” fight card is now complete with the official addition of Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims to the televised Showtime card.

Lashley was originally scheduled to face Yohan Banks on the card, but the Florida State Boxing Commission overruled Banks as a potential competitor because they felt he would be greatly overmatched by the 4-0 Lashley in terms of skill level. Strikeforce then selected Jimmy Ambriz as a potential opponent, and Ambriz was approved by the FSBC, but a high-level executive at Showtime nixed Ambriz and forced Strikeforce to start back at square one.

It didn’t take Strikeforce long to move on, as I was informed back on January 20th that recent Ultimate Fighter contestant Wes Sims was under consideration for the Lashley bout. Strikeforce officials confirmed the bout with Heavy.com this morning.

Lashley, a former collegiate wrestler and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, will be making his Strikeforce debut against Sims.  Lashley’s most recent fight came last summer, when he destroyed former PRIDE legend Bob “The Beast” Sapp and forced a submission with punches in the first round.

Check back with Heavy.com later in the week for our official “Strikeforce: Miami” preview.