Herschel Walker signs MMA deal with Strikeforce

DeToxRox · 09-21-2009, 11:28 AM

http://mmajunkie.com/news/16258/stri...hel-walker.mma

As I said in the MMA thread, I wonder how they will find an opponent who wants to fight 4 on 1.

BYU 14 · 09-21-2009, 01:20 PM

Interesting, Walker is a fierce competitor and he will be in shape, just too bad the majority of his experience is in Tai Kwon Do, which does not translate well to MMA since it is basically show Karate.

Even at 47 he is probably still an amazing athlete, so I guess it just depends on how he reacts when he gets punched in the face.......I will definitely watch though.

sovereignstar · 09-21-2009, 05:42 PM

sovereignstar · 09-21-2009, 05:44 PM

How about Herschel Walker vs. Kimbo. The loser goes away forever. Plus, the winner goes away too.

Honolulu_Blue · 09-21-2009, 05:55 PM

If I recall correctly, this didn't work out all that well for ex-Detroit Lions wide receiver Johnny Morton.

Calis · 09-21-2009, 10:25 PM

Morton got BRUTALLY knocked out in a K-1 MMA event. It was nasty.

Curious how long and seriously Walker has been training. I've been seeing him in the crowd at events for a while, and the guy looks to be in great shape still but who knows beyond that. At this point if you're a Heavyweight with any sort of name recognition or pull you can get a job. It's pretty weak competition out there.

He's training at AKA, so he's at least using a legitimate camp.

Grammaticus · 09-21-2009, 10:50 PM

MMA is turning into WWF.

And what up? They left out USFL great.

PilotMan · 09-22-2009, 11:36 AM

I can't see Walker being anything more than a undercard attraction. At 47, and no experience, there is no way that he seriously enters into any sort of legit contender role.

Travis · 09-22-2009, 12:16 PM

MMA is getting more mainstream and that's why you're seeing this type of stuff. I think it also speaks volumes that Strikeforce is going out to get "names" that will draw people in. Fedor has never been a huge sales force in North America so I think they're trying to give the casual MMA fan other reasons to tune in, then try to blow them away on the card with Fedor (or conversely, build up a Rogers win over Fedor that much more with some serious promo's during the PPV.

Getting Fedor meant that the kid gloves were coming off from the UFC side when it came to how they're going to deal with Strikeforce so it's certainly a big issue for them to get as many viewers as possible in any way they can. Whether Walker works out as a viable fighter or not (or even fights before Fedor which isn't likely at all), it has people talking about them.

There are going to be growing pains to MMA, especially when it comes to guys who feel they are elite level athletes and can "pull a Brock". Once the sport is a bit more established in it's current incarnation (in the sense that you're not going to be competitive at the top levels without a strong base in all aspects of fighting, not just one discipline) then stuff like this will start to filter out and guys will either have to work their way up through the ranks unless they have a truly marquee name (like Jordan when he tried baseball).

But that said, even now, how many guys make the jump into the UFC without having proved themselves in another MMA organization? The only two I can really think of offhand are Brock (who is probably as close to a unique situation as you can get) and Kimbo (who I give full credit to for being willing to stow his ego and go on TUF, whether he'll get chances in the UFC even if he doesn't win the show, who knows, but full marks to him for following through on his words of wanting to be an actual fighter and learn the proper ways to do it and that the meal ticket handed to him before was taken because it was offered, not because he thought he was God's gift to MMA).

Now how will Walker do? Probably not great, but he does have a martial arts background, is going to a proper training camp and has athletic potential like crazy. His age works against him, but at least it sounds like he's going to be as prepared as he can possibly be. That's a big check mark in his favor and hopefully he doesn't look like a fish out of water.

DeToxRox · 09-22-2009, 12:39 PM

Does this mean M-1 will co-promote half of Walker's personalities?

Karlifornia · 09-22-2009, 02:37 PM

I saw Walker on the Apprentice, and he seemed like a dumb jock. Good that he can still earn a living by smashing into other people.

cthomer5000 · 09-22-2009, 03:04 PM

15 years ago - hell yeah. Now? Careful, dood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

And what up? They left out USFL great.

How about Olympic Bobsledder?

Grammaticus · 09-22-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

How about Olympic Bobsledder?

Your right!

09-21-2009, 05:42 PM	#3
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	Sad.

09-21-2009, 05:55 PM	#5
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	If I recall correctly, this didn't work out all that well for ex-Detroit Lions wide receiver Johnny Morton. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

09-21-2009, 10:50 PM	#7
Grammaticus Pro Rookie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tennessee	MMA is turning into WWF. And what up? They left out USFL great. Last edited by Grammaticus : 09-21-2009 at 10:52 PM.

09-22-2009, 11:36 AM	#8
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	I can't see Walker being anything more than a undercard attraction. At 47, and no experience, there is no way that he seriously enters into any sort of legit contender role. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops.

09-22-2009, 12:16 PM	#9
Travis Pro Rookie Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Canada eh	MMA is getting more mainstream and that's why you're seeing this type of stuff. I think it also speaks volumes that Strikeforce is going out to get "names" that will draw people in. Fedor has never been a huge sales force in North America so I think they're trying to give the casual MMA fan other reasons to tune in, then try to blow them away on the card with Fedor (or conversely, build up a Rogers win over Fedor that much more with some serious promo's during the PPV. Getting Fedor meant that the kid gloves were coming off from the UFC side when it came to how they're going to deal with Strikeforce so it's certainly a big issue for them to get as many viewers as possible in any way they can. Whether Walker works out as a viable fighter or not (or even fights before Fedor which isn't likely at all), it has people talking about them. There are going to be growing pains to MMA, especially when it comes to guys who feel they are elite level athletes and can "pull a Brock". Once the sport is a bit more established in it's current incarnation (in the sense that you're not going to be competitive at the top levels without a strong base in all aspects of fighting, not just one discipline) then stuff like this will start to filter out and guys will either have to work their way up through the ranks unless they have a truly marquee name (like Jordan when he tried baseball). But that said, even now, how many guys make the jump into the UFC without having proved themselves in another MMA organization? The only two I can really think of offhand are Brock (who is probably as close to a unique situation as you can get) and Kimbo (who I give full credit to for being willing to stow his ego and go on TUF, whether he'll get chances in the UFC even if he doesn't win the show, who knows, but full marks to him for following through on his words of wanting to be an actual fighter and learn the proper ways to do it and that the meal ticket handed to him before was taken because it was offered, not because he thought he was God's gift to MMA). Now how will Walker do? Probably not great, but he does have a martial arts background, is going to a proper training camp and has athletic potential like crazy. His age works against him, but at least it sounds like he's going to be as prepared as he can possibly be. That's a big check mark in his favor and hopefully he doesn't look like a fish out of water. __________________ "I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." - Rogers Hornsby

09-21-2009, 01:20 PM	#2
BYU 14 Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The scorched Desert	Interesting, Walker is a fierce competitor and he will be in shape, just too bad the majority of his experience is in Tai Kwon Do, which does not translate well to MMA since it is basically show Karate. Even at 47 he is probably still an amazing athlete, so I guess it just depends on how he reacts when he gets punched in the face.......I will definitely watch though.

09-21-2009, 05:44 PM	#4
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	How about Herschel Walker vs. Kimbo. The loser goes away forever. Plus, the winner goes away too.

09-21-2009, 10:25 PM	#6
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	Morton got BRUTALLY knocked out in a K-1 MMA event. It was nasty. Curious how long and seriously Walker has been training. I've been seeing him in the crowd at events for a while, and the guy looks to be in great shape still but who knows beyond that. At this point if you're a Heavyweight with any sort of name recognition or pull you can get a job. It's pretty weak competition out there. He's training at AKA, so he's at least using a legitimate camp.

09-22-2009, 12:39 PM	#10
DeToxRox Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan	Does this mean M-1 will co-promote half of Walker's personalities?

09-22-2009, 02:37 PM	#11
Karlifornia Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	I saw Walker on the Apprentice, and he seemed like a dumb jock. Good that he can still earn a living by smashing into other people. __________________ Look into the mind of a crazy man (NSFW) http://www.whitepowerupdate.wordpress.com

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