Herschel Walker Signs Deal with Strikeforce

Herschel Walker, a 47-year-old former NFL player, has signed a 3 fight deal with Strikeforce. Strikeforce has been quick to say that this is not a publicity stunt or gimmick. Well thank goodness they cleared that up because it sure reeks of a publicity stunt to me.

Walker has a black belt in taekwondo but has never had a professional MMA fight. The thing that really pisses me off about this whole deal is the news that he will be attending an 8-12 week training camp with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA to help prepare for his debut.

What the hell does he think he's gonna learn in 8-12 weeks? True fighters in this sport dedicate their lives to perfecting their skills and becoming better fighters. They bust their asses to work their way up to bigger promotions, holding down jobs and training daily just so they can live their dream.

This whole thing cheapens MMA in my opinion. The Jose Canseco/Hong Man Choi fight is another great example of this. I don't feel that MMA will be taken seriously as long as these cheap stunt fights continue. I'd rather see a fight between two guys who are dedicated to the sport than one that includes an over the hill athlete who's desperate to get his name out there some way or another.