Who Wants to be an MMA Fighter?

Mixed martial arts is growing, we can't deny that, but UFC is not the only organization helping with the movement. Sure, UFC is the most valuable and noteworthy promoter in the MMA world, but there are other companies biting at its meaty, taped-up ankles. UFC stars are changing companies (most notably, Dan Henderson's move to Strikeforce), and more athletes are taking their shots at MMA. We can't forget José Canseco's attempt at MMA for Dream organization last May; it was just flat-out embarrassing. But don't get me wrong; Herschel Walker, Jason David Frank, and Bobby Lashley are not the same situations. So, why are more and more athletes taking their shots at this brutal sport?
 

Strikeforce (one of UFC's rising competitors) has grown as a result of a respectable promotion since its MMA start in 2006, and is starting to make bigger waves with some star-studded fighters. They had a great event on Jan. 30, with co-main event title shots including Nick Diaz taking the Welterweight belt from Marius Zaromskis and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos defending her Women's Featherweight title against Marloes Coenen. But those weren't the big names in this event.
 

Strikeforce hopped on the Brock Lesnar bandwagon and signed ex-pro-wrestling star Bobby Lashley to fight The Ultimate Fighter 10 contestant and UFC veteran Wes Sims. This is an understandable move for Lashley after seeing his past WWE co-worker's increasing fame and his conquering of the Heavyweight title in the UFC. Lashley ended up dominating Wes Sims in about two minutes of the first round, and I doubt Lashley will struggle to find the same fame that Brock Lesnar found so quickly.
 

The biggest shock to the Strikeforce lineup was the debut of Heisman Trophy winner and NFL superstar, Herschel Walker. After football, he started his search for more competition, which included trying out for the Olympic sprint team, but only made a short stint for the two-man bobsled team in 1992 (getting seventh place). Now he seems settled following his tae-kwon-do background and beginning a career in MMA at 47 years old, and also getting his first win of this new career. Herschel seems to love the thrill of the game, and at almost half a century old, he still shows his love for competition and his need for it.
 

Outside of Strikeforce, for Lonestar Beatdown: Houston, everyone's favorite childhood ninja made his MMA debut. Jason David Frank, also known as Tommy the Green Power Ranger, had his first fight against Jonathan Mack same night that Strikeforce had its event. Jason has been studying martial arts since the age of four, and getting a black belt by age 12. You might have expected (maybe just hoped for) Jason Frank to get a worse beat up than Lord Zedd used to give him, but he held his own. He received a few good punches, but he ended the fight quickly and skillfully with an omaplata submission that no one saw coming.
 

These stars have finally made their switch to MMA, and I don't see them leaving anytime soon. So what could these people be thinking going into this sport? Herschel is searching for new, harder competition; Lashley is probably looking to make the switch from fake pro-wrestling to a real sport; Jason Frank is following his life-time love for martial arts and turning it into an actual career after he beat up too many Putty Patrollers. But, don't think this is just some pseudo Celebrity Boxing; these are trained fighters with an urge to win and show off their skills. These are actual MMA fighters. José Canseco can run his mouth all he wants, but if he keeps calling out Herschel Walker for a fight, he will realize what it means to be a true MMA fighter and not just a sideshow getting paid so that Los Angeles Angels fans can watch a rival get beat down.