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With three Title fights already scheduled for their April 17th return to CBS, Strikeforce is planning on filming one of the night's preliminary card fights for broadcast on CBS should time allow due to the top three fights going short. Half of that preliminary fight might be taken care of, as MMAJunkie.com reports that Bobby Lashley is expected to be added to the card.
No opponent is set for Lashley at this time, but the report states an announcement should be coming within the next week.
Lashley made his organizational debut in his fifth ever MMA fight this January, taking out Wes Sims in the first round at Strikeforce: Miami. Lashley, of course, is a former WWE "Superstar" that made the switch to MMA before hitting the height of his pro wrestling popularity. He rattled off four straight wins before making his debut with Strikeforce.
Lashley had continued in professional wrestling part time with Spike TV broadcasted Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, though has been off of television for some time since signing with Strikeforce and has stated he's concentrating solely on MMA.
Strikeforce: Nashville takes place at the Bridgestone Arena (formerly known as the Sommet Center) in Nashville, TN, headlined by a Middleweight Title bout between Dan Henderson and Jake Shields. Two other Title bouts round out the card.
Penick's Analysis: Having Lashley on a prelim bout to possibly air can be construed as a good or bad thing from Strikeforce, depending on how you look at it. With him not guaranteed for television you can't hype his involvement on the card on CBS, as he may or may not actually appear. But if he time does allow for his fight to make the broadcast they'll get one of their more marketable fighters just in name a high profile spot on the CBS card. Now it just depends on who his opponent will be.
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