Black Widow
08-17-2009, 11:12 AM
With local manager, WWE’s ‘Victoria’ heading to MMA
By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 10:58 PM Sunday, August 16, 2009
Following in the footsteps of Brock Lesnar and fellow heavyweight Bobby Lashley, Lisa Marie Varon — perhaps better known as “Victoria” to World Wrestling Entertainment fans — is heading to the world of mixed martial arts.
Varon, a 38-year-old who formerly competed in fitness and bodybuilding competitions, recently left the WWE and joined its biggest competitor, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
However, TNA’s non-restrictive contract has allowed Varon to begin an intense training regimen in preparation of a pro MMA debut in the next year.
Helping her make the transition is J.T. Stewart, a Xenia native and Dayton resident who also currently manages UFC superstar Rich Franklin. As with Franklin, Stewart sees a proven star with the potential to make more money outside the ring than inside it.
“Obviously, with the exposure from the WWE, she already had the marquee value,” Stewart said. “She has the name. Women’s MMA is just starting to peak, and with her built-in fan base, she’ll have lot of opportunities with endorsements, sponsorships, autograph signings and card shows.
“Plus, she’s also just very athletic. We’ve seen Lashley and Lesnar cross over and do very well in MMA. I’d expect no less from her.”
Lesnar and Lashley, both of whom had collegiate-wrestling success, left the WWE in recent years to launch pro MMA careers. Lesnar has surpassed all expectations and is now the UFC’s heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s biggest stars. Lashley, meanwhile, has accumulated a 4-0 record while getting experience in smaller shows.
Athleticism doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in a sport as physically and mentally demanding as MMA, but Varon and Stewart know it certainly helps.
Stewart has been in talks with a few organizations about signing Varon to a contract. Currently, the UFC (and its sister promotion, the WEC) don’t have women’s divisions. That’s why Stewart has an eye on Strikeforce, arguably the No. 2 fight promotion in the U.S.
This past weekend, Strikeforce made history with the first-ever major MMA event headlined by female fighters. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (8-1) scored a first-round knockout of Gina Carano (7-1) in a Showtime-televised event that garnered major media attention.
The organization has made a commitment to women’s MMA with the recent signings of notables such as Marloes Coenen (16-3), Erin Toughill (10-2-1), Sarah Kaufman (10-0) and Miesha Tate (6-2).
However, Stewart and Varon have their sights set on another contracted fighter: Kim Couture (1-1), the ex-wife of former UFC champ Randy Couture.
“That’s definitely a fight we’re interested in,” Stewart said.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, a content partner site of Yahoo! Sports. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.mmajunkie.com.
daytondailynews.com
By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 10:58 PM Sunday, August 16, 2009
Following in the footsteps of Brock Lesnar and fellow heavyweight Bobby Lashley, Lisa Marie Varon — perhaps better known as “Victoria” to World Wrestling Entertainment fans — is heading to the world of mixed martial arts.
Varon, a 38-year-old who formerly competed in fitness and bodybuilding competitions, recently left the WWE and joined its biggest competitor, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
However, TNA’s non-restrictive contract has allowed Varon to begin an intense training regimen in preparation of a pro MMA debut in the next year.
Helping her make the transition is J.T. Stewart, a Xenia native and Dayton resident who also currently manages UFC superstar Rich Franklin. As with Franklin, Stewart sees a proven star with the potential to make more money outside the ring than inside it.
“Obviously, with the exposure from the WWE, she already had the marquee value,” Stewart said. “She has the name. Women’s MMA is just starting to peak, and with her built-in fan base, she’ll have lot of opportunities with endorsements, sponsorships, autograph signings and card shows.
“Plus, she’s also just very athletic. We’ve seen Lashley and Lesnar cross over and do very well in MMA. I’d expect no less from her.”
Lesnar and Lashley, both of whom had collegiate-wrestling success, left the WWE in recent years to launch pro MMA careers. Lesnar has surpassed all expectations and is now the UFC’s heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s biggest stars. Lashley, meanwhile, has accumulated a 4-0 record while getting experience in smaller shows.
Athleticism doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in a sport as physically and mentally demanding as MMA, but Varon and Stewart know it certainly helps.
Stewart has been in talks with a few organizations about signing Varon to a contract. Currently, the UFC (and its sister promotion, the WEC) don’t have women’s divisions. That’s why Stewart has an eye on Strikeforce, arguably the No. 2 fight promotion in the U.S.
This past weekend, Strikeforce made history with the first-ever major MMA event headlined by female fighters. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (8-1) scored a first-round knockout of Gina Carano (7-1) in a Showtime-televised event that garnered major media attention.
The organization has made a commitment to women’s MMA with the recent signings of notables such as Marloes Coenen (16-3), Erin Toughill (10-2-1), Sarah Kaufman (10-0) and Miesha Tate (6-2).
However, Stewart and Varon have their sights set on another contracted fighter: Kim Couture (1-1), the ex-wife of former UFC champ Randy Couture.
“That’s definitely a fight we’re interested in,” Stewart said.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, a content partner site of Yahoo! Sports. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.mmajunkie.com.
daytondailynews.com