MMA Nation - Shark Fights 21: Bobby Lashley Vs. Karl Knothe Booked For Novemberhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/33343/mma-icon.png2011-11-14T09:36:37-08:00http://mma.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22747972011-11-14T09:36:37-08:002011-11-14T09:36:37-08:00MMA Results: Lashley Collects Shark Fights Title; Emelianenko Falls In 23 Seconds
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<img alt="Bobby Lashley poses with Strikeforce heavyweight Josh Barnett after winning the Shark Fights heavyweight championship at Shark Fights 21. (Photo via cagejunkies.com)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ri5hkVU5-chCvuTLUCFylzrwduk=/0x153:460x460/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/789486/sf21_main_event.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bobby Lashley poses with Strikeforce heavyweight Josh Barnett after winning the Shark Fights heavyweight championship at Shark Fights 21. (Photo via cagejunkies.com)</figcaption>
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<p>Bobby Lashley and Aleksander Emelianenko capped off a busy weekend of mixed martial arts at Shark Fights 21 and M-1 Challenge 28.</p> <p>It took three months for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Lashley</a> to settle on an opponent. It took just three more minutes to put him away. The former-WWE star handled last-second replacement Karl Knothe on Friday night in the main event of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21" class="sbn-auto-link">Shark Fights 21</a>, winning via first-round submission to earn the promotion's vacated heavyweight strap.</p>
<p>Lashley (7-1) dominated from the outset, controlling his opponent before sinking in an early Americana choke that eventually elicited a tap. Afterward, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a> grand prix finalist <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129198/josh-barnett" class="sbn-auto-link">Josh Barnett</a> was seen celebrating his pupil's second straight victory cageside.</p>
<p>Knothe (20-7), a nine-year veteran who entered the contest on just three days notice after four successive opponents dropped out, snapped a twelve-fight winning streak of his own with the loss. Shark Fights 21 is scheduled to air in full on December 23 on FUEL TV.</p>
<p>Elsewhere in weekend mixed marital arts action, Aleksander Emelianenko's first foray into the cage in 2011 ended as abruptly as it started on Saturday night. Promoted to M-1 Challenge 28's main event just a week out from fight night, Emelianenko (17-5) fell victim to a looping overhand right from late-replacement Magomed Malikov (4-1) 23 seconds into their heavyweight contest. The loss marks the second in a row for the former Pride star and capped a night of swift finishes.</p>
<p><b>M-1 Challenge 28 results:</b></p>
<p>Magomed Malikov def. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/147150/alexander-emelianenko" class="sbn-auto-link">Aleksander Emelianenko</a> via KO (punches) at 0:23 of round 1<br>Isaiah Larsen def. Alikhan Magomedov via submission (armbar) at 3:41 of round 2<br>Vugar Bahshiev def. Yves Landu via unanimous decision<br>Gredory Babene def. Alexander Dolotenko via submisssion (choke) at 1:18 of round 1<br>Sunay Hamidov def. Alexey Martynov via submisssion (triangle choke) in round 3<br>Anatoly Tokov def. Jan Zdansky via TKO (punches) at 4:20 of round 1<br>Enok Solves Torres def. Ruslan Khaskhanov via TKO (punches) in round 1<br>David Baudrier def. Anton Kostishchin via submission (arm-triangle) in round 2</p>
<p><b>Shark Fights 21 results:</b></p>
<p>Bobby Lashley def. Karl Knothe via submission (americana) at 3:44 of round 1<br>Cody East def. Adenelson Clementino viat TKO at 1:15 of round 1<br>Cody Pfister def. Isias Martinez via TKO at 4:09 of round 2<br>Warren Stewart def. Gabe Vasquez via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:46 of round 1<br>John King def. Daniel De Almeida via split decision<br>Rashad Coulter def. Chase Watson via TKO at 2:39 of round 3<br>Jon Voth def. Jeremiah Castillo via submission (arm bar) at 2:27 of round 1<br>Matt Hobar def. Marcus Baldivia via submission (north-south choke) at 0:53 of round 1</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/11/14/2561102/mma-results-bobby-lashley-shark-fights-21-aleksander-emelianenko-m1-challenge-28Shaun Al-Shatti2011-11-10T10:54:36-08:002011-11-10T10:54:36-08:00Shark Fights 21: Karl Knothe Tapped As The Latest Opponent To Bobby Lashley
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<p>Yet another twist has struck the Shark Fights heavyweight title picture in what is quickly becoming the most convoluted main event of recent MMA history. After being declined a license by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation due to incomplete medical paperwork, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/147059/mark-martinez">Mark Martinez</a> has been replaced by Karl Knothe (20-6) to fight <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley">Bobby Lashley</a> (6-1) for the heavyweight belt at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21">Shark Fights 21</a>.</p>
<p>Knothe is the fifth man to be linked to Lashley since the former-WWE star inked a three-fight deal with the Texas-based promotion in September. At various times <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/144057/darrill-schoonover">Darrill Schoonover</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129144/tim-hague">Tim Hague</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/144197/dave-huckaba">Dave Huckaba</a>, and Martinez have all been tapped as reported opponents before withdrawing for a variety of reasons.</p>
<p>Creatively known as "The Original Son of Punishment", Knothe is a Gorrila Combat veteran training out of Stillwater, Minnesota. Considered a formidable finisher with just one decision to his name, Knothe enters the bout in the midst of a twelve-fight win streak but has yet to compete in 2011.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/11/10/2552372/shark-fights-21-karl-knothe-tapped-as-the-latest-opponent-to-bobbyShaun Al-Shatti2011-11-07T13:01:20-08:002011-11-07T13:01:20-08:00Shark Fights 21: Mark Martinez Tapped As New Opponent For Bobby Lashley
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<p>Somehow <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Lashley</a> (6-1) has gone through three opponents without ever stepping foot in the Shark Fights cage. The Texas-based promotion's heavyweight merry-go-round lurched forward once again on Monday, as Shark Fights CEO Bud Brutsman announced Mark Martinez (4-1) as the new challenger to the former WWE star. <a target="_blank" href="http://mmajunkie.com/news/25985/bobby-lashley-now-meets-mark-martinez-in-shark-fights-21-headliner.mma?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mmajunkie+%28MMAjunkie.com+Feed%29">MMA Junkie</a> first reported the news.</p>
<p>Martinez is the fourth man to be linked the bout since Lashley signed a <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/9/19/2435696/bobby-lashley-shark-fights-strikeforce-wwe-mma-news/in/2274797">three-fight deal</a> with Shark Fights in September. UFC veteran <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129144/tim-hague" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Hague</a> was <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510767/shark-fights-21-bobby-lashley-darrell-schoonover-tim-hague/in/2274797">originally announced</a> to fill the position after former heavyweight champion <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/144057/darrill-schoonover" class="sbn-auto-link">Darrill Schoonover</a> withdrew due to a shoulder injury. However Hague's name was quickly <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510874/shark-fights-21-tim-hague-vs-bobby-lashley-mma-news/in/2274797">denied by promotion officials</a>, despite an announcement from the official Shark Fights Twitter account stating otherwise. Following the bizarre series of events, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/144197/dave-huckaba" class="sbn-auto-link">Dave Huckaba</a> was<a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/25/2513467/shark-fights-21-bobby-lashley-vs-dave-huckaba-mma-news/in/2274797"> tapped for the championship tilt</a> before withdrawing for undisclosed reasons.</p>
<p>Martinez, a 6'2" 251-pound veteran from Hobbs, New Mexico, now enters the fray on the heels of a four-fight win streak, including a knockout victory over Josh Luna in March. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21" class="sbn-auto-link">Shark Fights 21</a> will take place on November 11th at the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas. The event is slated for a December 23rd broadcast on FUEL TV.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/11/7/2545121/shark-fights-21-mark-martinez-vs-bobby-lashleyShaun Al-Shatti2011-10-25T11:41:08-07:002011-10-25T11:41:08-07:00Shark Fights 21: Bobby Lashley Agrees To Fight Dave Huckaba
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<p>The Bobby Lashley (6-1) roller-coaster finally appears to have reached its conclusion. Following <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510767/shark-fights-21-bobby-lashley-darrell-schoonover-tim-hague/in/2274797">the dropout of Darrill Schoonover</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510874/shark-fights-21-tim-hague-vs-bobby-lashley-mma-news/in/2274797">the bizarre saga of Tim Hague</a>, veteran Dave Huckaba (16-4) has agreed fill the vacant spot opposite the former-WWE star at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21" class="sbn-auto-link">Shark Fights 21</a>. The pair are now set to duel for the Shark Fights heavyweight title on November 11th at the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas. Contracts are reportedly forthcoming. <a target="_blank" href="http://mmajunkie.com/news/25794/dave-huckaba-tapped-to-meet-bobby-lashley-at-shark-fights-21.mma">MMA Junkie</a> first reported the news.</p>
<p>Huckaba, the former Gladiator Challenge Heavyweight Champion, enters the bout fresh from a unanimous decision victory against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a> veteran Ruben Villareal at Shark Fights 18. Known as "Badman", the 37-year-old fights out of California's Team Mixed Breed and has collected 13 of his 16 wins via knockout.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Lashley makes his return to the cage for the first time since claiming a unanimous decision over John Ott at Titan FC 17 in March. When asked about his latest opponent, the former-Strikeforce prospect simply said, "I've been focusing on my standup and I'm ready to fight a striker like Dave," (via MMA junkie).</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/25/2513467/shark-fights-21-bobby-lashley-vs-dave-huckaba-mma-newsShaun Al-Shatti2011-10-24T10:38:06-07:002011-10-24T10:38:06-07:00Shark Fights 21: Officials Deny Booking Tim Hague Vs. Bobby Lashley
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<p>Despite a late Sunday night <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/SharkFights/status/128337880002215936">announcement</a> on the official Shark Fights twitter account stating otherwise, promotion officials have denied that their upcoming <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21" class="sbn-auto-link">Shark Fights 21</a> event will be headlined by a heavyweight clash between former-WWE star <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Lashley</a> (6-1) and UFC veteran <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129144/tim-hague" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Hague</a> (13-5). The tweet in question:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/761155/shark_fights.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/761155/shark_fights_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Shark_fights_medium"></a></p>
<p>According to Shark Fights CEO Bud Brutsman the report is untrue. "It's not Tim Hague," he said to <a target="_blank" href="http://mmajunkie.com/news/25783/officials-deny-bobby-lashley-vs-tim-hague-booked-for-shark-fights-21-headliner.mma">MMA Junkie</a>. "We haven't even signed him." Brustman went on to add that they "have no idea" who posted the announcement to the Shark Fights twitter account.</p>
<p>Regardless, whoever does fight Lashley will do so for the promotion's heavyweight title. According to Brustman, former champion <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/144057/darrill-schoonover" class="sbn-auto-link">Darrill Schoonover</a> has been stripped of the belt following the shoulder injury that forced him out of the Shark Fights 21 main event on November 11th at the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas. The event will also be broadcasted by FUEL TV on December 23rd.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510874/shark-fights-21-tim-hague-vs-bobby-lashley-mma-newsShaun Al-Shatti2011-10-24T09:56:51-07:002011-10-24T09:56:51-07:00Shark Fights 21: Darrell Schoonover Out, Tim Hague In Against Bobby Lashley
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<p>Less than a month from the event, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84496/shark-fights-21" class="sbn-auto-link">Shark Fights 21</a> has undergone a dramatic headlining shift. Over the weekend, heavyweight champion Darrell Schoonover withdrew from a scheduled title defense against promotional newcomer <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Lashley</a> (6-1) due to a shoulder injury. UFC veteran <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129144/tim-hague" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Hague</a> (13-5) has now been tapped as a replacement. According to Shark Fights officials a belt will remain up for grabs, however it has yet to be determined if that represents an interim title.</p>
<p>By all indications, the entry of Hague marks a considerable step-up in competition for the largely untested Lashley. Known as "The Thrashing Machine", Hague holds notable wins over UFC heavyweight <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129145/pat-barry" class="sbn-auto-link">Pat Barry</a>, as well as Miodrag Petkovic (x2) and Zak Jensen. After being cut from the promotion earlier this year following a loss to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122496/matt-mitrione" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt Mitrione</a>, the 28-year-old rebounded with a 74-second submission victory over <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131660/vince-lucero" class="sbn-auto-link">Vince Lucero</a> inside his native Canada.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Lashley returns to the cage for the second time in 2011, following a unanimous decision victory over John Ott at Titan FC 17. The former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a> prospect and WWE wrestler signed a three-fight deal in the aftermath of the win to the delight of Shark Fights CEO Bud Brustman. "It's going to be big for us," Brustman said. "When you're a little organization you need to make some noise, and Bobby is the perfect one to make some noise. There is nobody better than him right now that's out there."</p>
<p>Shark Fights 21 will be held on November 11th at the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas. FUEL TV is scheduled to air a tape-delay broadcast on December 23rd.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/24/2510767/shark-fights-21-bobby-lashley-darrell-schoonover-tim-hagueShaun Al-Shatti2011-09-19T10:39:26-07:002011-09-19T10:39:26-07:00Strikeforce Veteran Bobby Lashley Signs With Shark Fights
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<img alt="Bobby Lashley defeats Bob Sapp at the headlining event of FFI: Ultimate Chaos. The former WWE star signed a new three-fight deal with Texas-based Shark Fights." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3Vp-cuWKxykubDB6vO_31fYazZE=/45x0:531x324/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/720138/bobby_lashley.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bobby Lashley defeats Bob Sapp at the headlining event of FFI: Ultimate Chaos. The former WWE star signed a new three-fight deal with Texas-based Shark Fights.</figcaption>
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<p>Strikeforce veteran Bobby Lashley signed a reported three-year deal with Shark Fights.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129243/bobby-lashley" class="sbn-auto-link">Bobby Lashley</a> (6-1) is ready to continue his climb up the mixed martial arts ladder. According to <a target="_blank" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/Former-WWE-wrestler-Bobby-Lashley-inks-Shark-Fights-deal-091511">reports from Fox Sports</a>, the former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a> prospect and WWE wrestler signed a three-fight deal with Texas-based promotion Shark Fights over the weekend. Terms of the deal have not been released.</p>
<p>"By signing Bobby were saying we're willing to put our money out there to make it happen, and bring in and sign the bigger-name talent, and not just has-beens and nobodies," Shark Fights CEO Bud Brustman said. "It's going to be big for us. When you're a little organization you need to make some noise, and Bobby is the perfect one to make some noise. There is nobody better than him right now that's out there."</p>
<p>A two-time NAIA National Wrestling Champion, Lashley kicked off his mixed martial arts career in style, collecting five straight wins over the likes of former-Pride veteran <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131760/bob-sapp" class="sbn-auto-link">Bob Sapp</a> and longtime UFC heavyweight Wes Sims. However the 35-year-old's hype-train abruptly derailed last August with a defeat at the hands of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129241/chad-griggs" class="sbn-auto-link">Chad Griggs</a> in his second bout under the Strikeforce banner, after which he was released by the promotion. Since then Lashley has resumed his winning ways, defeating Bellator veteran <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130033/john-ott">John Ott</a> earlier this year.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/9/19/2435696/bobby-lashley-shark-fights-strikeforce-wwe-mma-newsShaun Al-Shatti