Strikeforce
STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Scott Coker says Bobby Lashley is returning in May or June
Apr 14, 2010 - 3:38:22 PM STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Scott Coker says Bobby Lashley is returning in May or June

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Strikeforce heavyweight Bobby Lashley will make his return to the organization in May or June, according to comments from Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker to MMAWeekly.com.

The organization had hoped to have him available this coming weekend for their return to CBS, in a preliminary card bout that would have been taped to air during the CBS broadcast, but Lashley needed to undergo nasal surgery that delayed his training and he was taken off the card.

"We had hoped he was going to be on the card in the very beginning, and as we were getting closer to the fight, he had to have a surgery procedure, and I just don't think the timing was right," said Coker. "We both agreed maybe it would be best for everybody, and us waiting until the next one or the one after and see how it goes. Cause he didn't have a chance to go back to ATT and go train and do it properly because of his surgery procedure, so when I found out it was affecting his training we both felt maybe it was the best thing to pass."

The next event will come to St. Louis on May 15th, an event headlined by a Strikeforce Heavyweight Title bout between Alistair Overeem and Brett Rogers; if he doesn't get booked on that show, the organization is also planning a return to southern California late in June that is expected to play host to the heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Fedor Emelianenko.

Lashley has not fought since a first round TKO victory over Wes Sims in his Strikeforce debut in January.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: Lashley would fit well on either of those major Showtime cards coming up, as there are some good heavyweight match-ups at the top of those cards to help boost his profile further as well. If they're ok with an almost all heavyweight card the May event would make a lot of sense, as it would give them three higher profile heavyweight fights on one card, but to get him on the same event as Fedor's next fight would work well for them as well. Really, either event works, so as long as they give him a decent opponent and somewhat of a challenge he'll be a welcomed addition to whatever card they put him on.

RELATED STORY: STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Bobby Lashley no longer on April 17 card, expecting to fight on May 15th event in St. Louis: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]