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From the NFL Pro Bowl to reality TV star to MMA fighter. Former NFL football star and Heisman Trophy winner, Herschel Walker has signed an MMA deal with UFC competitor, Strikeforce. The 47-yaer old Walker is expected to begin competing in 2010. No word yet on which of Herschel’s personalities will be the one actually competing.

I can understand the move, but I don’t like it. The signing only reinforces UFC president Dana White’s nickname, Strikefarce for the MMA organization. Signing someone to their first fight at 47 years old isn’t exactly going to give your company much credibility. At the same time, you better believe that I will be tuning in live to see Walker in the MMA ring. The idea of one of the most remembered NFL players of my youth competing in MMA is definitely appealing.

Herschel Walker isn’t just your average ex-NFL player gone UFC/MMA fighter. Walker is a sixth-degree black belt in tae kwon do. Walker had a reputation as one of the toughest guys in the NFL during his day. This isn’t Walker’s first flirtation with MMA. Walker has talked about fighting for many years. As a matter of a fact, Walker was scheduled to be a part of an MMA reality show that never materialized.

Walker is certainly not the first former NFL player to try his hands at MMA. There are four former NFL players currently competing on The Ultimate Fighter season 10. Other notable former NFL players that have tried their hands at MMA are Jarod Bunch, Michael “Don’t call me Brian” Westbrook and Johnnie Morton. Westbrook is the only fighter of this group to have a win which ironically came against Bunch. Most of the other fighters have bottomed out, including Morton who not onlt lost but got popped for using steroids in his fight.

I can understand journeymen NFL players getting into MMA, but not Walker. Herschel Walker will undoubtedly be the biggest ex-NFL and NCAA football star to compete in MMA. Walker has done well in business following his NFL career and certainly doesn’t need this from a money perspective. At 47-years old, I don’t think this is the way that a former football great should be remembered. Following the announcement of a CBS-Strikeforce event in the fall, I’d almost guarantee that Walker’s fight will be broadcast on CBS.

No word yet on whether Strikeforce has attempted a five-for-one trade with the UFC.

Thanks to MMAJunkie.com for the tip!

Former NFL wide receiver Michael Westbrook vs. Matt Newman from Fight Night 17

Read Herschel Walker’s book Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder by clicking here.

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