FACEBOOK TWITTER RSS APP PODCAST Opinion & Analysis : Penick's Take PENICK'S BLOG: Will any questions be answered by Lashley vs. Sapp?

Jun 27, 2009 - 11:57:21 AM
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Bobby Lashley and Bob Sapp are set to square off tonight on pay-per-view in Lashley's fourth professional MMA fight. In what is sure to be a train wreck of a fight, Lashley will be looking to impress against the much larger Sapp, who will hold a nearly 70 pounds in weight above him.

Now while this bout is certainly an interesting "big man" fight between two legit athletes, the thing to look at here is what, if any, questions will be answered on this pay-per-view. Lashley's a definite prospect, a former NAIA wrestling Champion and an impressive physical specimen, who has compiled a 3-0 professional record since leaving the world of professional wrestling for MMA. He hasn't, however, had the most impressive performances to date, including a three round snoozefest with Jason Guida earlier this year, also on pay-per-view.

Sapp is a former NFL football player who found fame and fortune as a superstar in Japan due to his larger than life size and personality to those fans. He's got a 10-4-1 MMA record as well as a 10-7 kickboxing record, and despite his status as a "freak show" to many fans, Sapp has been impressive at times and successful as well. Outside of his last two losses, Sapp has shown he can be in there with legitimate competition. Of course, the loss to Jan Nortje and his most recent submission loss to the much smaller Ikuhisa Minowa last month in the DREAM 9 Super Hulk tournament have been low points for the 320 lb behemoth.

So again, what will this bout answer? If Lashley rolls through Sapp tonight with speed and power, will that tell us anything about what Lashley's going to bring in the future? If Sapp wins, is it a sign that Sapp can still go or is it more indicative that Lashley's simply a four fight professional and isn't ready for the scrutiny of headlining slots and is in need of much more work?

Lashley simply isn't Brock Lesnar, and despite his impressive size he still has a lot of the game left to learn that his natural athletic ability can't compensate for yet. The bout with Sapp tonight may show us an improved striking game, or it may be him trying to avoid punishment while trying to get some takedowns to try to control Sapp towards a decision. Or, Sapp may knock him silly with the heavy hands he himself possesses and it will be back to the drawing board. Whatever may happen, the fact that this is a pay-per-view means many won't see it until the find other means to watch it.

The rest of the show contains an interesting combination of veterans and lesser knowns, including the co-main event of Gilbert Yvel against Pedro Rizzo. This bout has more importance for the fighters now for the simple fact that the winner will get a much larger payday in August at the Affliction show against Paul Buentello, making this one mean more than it would have otherwise. Speaking of Affliction, VP Tom Atencio fights in his second professional bout.

I'm not sure what type of pay-per-view audience they are expecting for this show, but for those who plop down the $29.95 it will surely be an interesting night.

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