Herschel Walker signs with Strikeforce

http://mmamania.com/2009/09/21/nfl-legend-herschel-walker-signs-with-strikeforce-for-mma-debut/
“This isn’t a publicity stunt or a gimmick. Herschel Walker has tremendous athleticism, and he has always shown that off the gridiron. He’s accomplished a lot in his life and in the world of sports. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and we hope that his athleticism can transition into a successful MMA career.”

Walker plans to compete at heavyweight and is currently headed to the famed American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) training camp in San Jose, California.

Wow. Herschel also has severe problems battling multiple personalities. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

He was with Tapout at the mall this weekend in Dallas.

I can't help but feel that publicity and quasi gimmicks are a factor here. At least guys like Lashley and Westbrook started at the bottom organizations against entry level guys. Who will he fight, Bobby Southworth?

that guy is way too old to get into the game now.

captain organic wrote:

that guy is way too old to get into the game now.

First fight at 47. How is that to old?

Herschel Walker vs Bill Bates II

Old SEC joke, most prolly won't get it. I got Bill Bates in the rematch. Go Vols

This is a good signing. Strikeforce challengers series is for unproven fighters, journeymen, and up and comers. If this does anything it will bring some much needed casual fan interest to the Strikeforce Challengers shows next year. It's not like he'll be in any big fights. I think it is publicity for the Challengers shows, and i think that is good.

No way they don't put him on CBS

He won't be on CBS. Unless CBS starts doing a lot more Strikeforce shows.

He'll be on the main cards for the Challengers shows.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

He won't be on CBS. Unless CBS starts doing a lot more Strikeforce shows.

He'll be on the main cards for the Challengers shows.

They're talking about the signing on PTI and Sportsceneter. No way SF doesn't gain viewers by putting him on CBS or a Shotime main event

strikeforce could just have Walker at a CBS show giving an interview with the broadcast team, telling fans about his upcoming chanllenger series fight.

I certainly hope it doesn't go beyond that.

Farmer1906 wrote:

KingsOwn19 wrote:

He won't be on CBS. Unless CBS starts doing a lot more Strikeforce shows.

He'll be on the main cards for the Challengers shows.

They're talking about the signing on PTI and Sportsceneter. No way SF doesn't gain viewers by putting him on CBS or a Shotime main event

Main event? He won't be main eventing anything.

I agree, he'll be on showtime, and he'll be promoted....but for the Challengers shows. SF plans on doing a lot more challengers shows next year and right now, nobody watches them because there is no name value on them. They are trying to change that by bringing in names from kickboxing(Sefo), wrestlng(Cormier), and now Walker. They are not going to bill any CBS cards around Walker, and not going to put him on the same showtime/or CBS card as a Nick Diaz or anybody like that. Unless he really kicks ass and plans to stick around. Which i doubt. Even if he has success, i don't see him sticking around very long for obvious reasons. Of course PTI and SC are going to talk a little about it, but it's by no means a big story to them or MMA. I've watched ESPNNEWS today and all they've done is report it at the bottom of the screen and PTI talks about anything that involves past sports stars.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

KingsOwn19 wrote:

He won't be on CBS. Unless CBS starts doing a lot more Strikeforce shows.

He'll be on the main cards for the Challengers shows.

They're talking about the signing on PTI and Sportsceneter. No way SF doesn't gain viewers by putting him on CBS or a Shotime main event

Main event? He won't be main eventing anything.

I agree, he'll be on showtime, and he'll be promoted....but for the Challengers shows. SF plans on doing a lot more challengers shows next year and right now, nobody watches them because there is no name value on them. They are trying to change that by bringing in names from kickboxing(Sefo), wrestlng(Cormier), and now Walker. They are not going to bill any CBS cards around Walker, and not going to put him on the same showtime/or CBS card as a Nick Diaz or anybody like that. Unless he really kicks ass and plans to stick around. Which i doubt. Even if he has success, i don't see him sticking around very long for obvious reasons. Of course PTI and SC are going to talk a little about it, but it's by no means a big story to them or MMA. I've watched ESPNNEWS today and all they've done is report it at the bottom of the screen and PTI talks about anything that involves past sports stars.

Just in regards to the challenger series fight. The last couple events have been very entertaining. The last main event had very worthwhile name's headlining the event, and Kennedy is a growing name as well. This upcoming card has at least 3 bouts that true MMA fans should have interest in. So I don't see it as a matter of quality, but I do agree that in terms of pure name recognition, it could use a boost and Hershel provides that, I aslo think that it is hidden on showtime a bit, and Walker's presence can bring a little spotlight to the events as a whole and not just his fights. So in that sense I do think the signing is a good one.

hopefully he is not getting paid too much and he is doing this more for the competition and not the $$$. Im sure he doesn't need much $$$$ so I wonder if SF was able to sign him on the cheap because of that.

Challengers Series cards are always quality fight cards, but nobody watches them except for hardcore fans like us. Bringing in more viewers with guys like Walker will hopefully get guys like Kennedy, Evangalista, Cummings, etc. more exposure.

If Walker can't help the challengers cards just a little bit, he won't really make a difference on the SF's bigger cards.

I'm sure he gets paid better than your average 0-0 fighter, but as far as i know this is something he wanted to do and he's prbably not making anything ridiculous.

This signing is a joke. 47 year old footballers? My lawd.