Lisa Marie Varon is heading to the world of mixed martial arts.
Varon, perhaps better known as a World Wrestling Entertainment "diva" named Victoria, plans to make her pro MMA debut in the next year.
Her manager, J.T. Stewart, who also manages former UFC champion Rich Franklin, discussed the fighter's plans with MMAjunkie.com's Dann Stupp for the Dayton Daily News.
The WWE has sent two notables to MMA in recent years, including current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and undefeated heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley.
However, unlike Lesnar and Lashley, who both had very successful collegiate wrestling careers, Varon is largely starting from scratch. The former fitness and bodybuilding competitor began studying jiu-jitsu earlier this year and is currently training other aspects of MMA in Louisville, Ky.
Despite Varon's recent debut with WWE rival Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Stewart said the nonrestrictive contract will allow his client to wrestle and compete in MMA simultaneously. (In fact, Lashley also recently signed a contract with TNA and debuted with the Spike TV-televised promotion back in April.)
While Varon is certainly marketable and athletic, she has one factor working against her: her age. At 38 years old, she will likely have a limited shelf life in MMA.
Regardless, Stewart said he hopes eventually to get Varon in Strikeforce, the only major U.S. promotion that promotes women's fights. Strikeforce hosted the historic Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Gina Carano event this past weekend, and the organization has recently bolstered it's female roster with notables such as Marloes Coenen, Erin Toughill, Sarah Kaufman and Miesha Tate.
However, Stewart and Varon have their sights set on another Strikforce-contracted fighter: Kim Couture (1-1), the ex-wife of former UFC champ Randy Couture.
Varon, perhaps better known as a World Wrestling Entertainment "diva" named Victoria, plans to make her pro MMA debut in the next year.
Her manager, J.T. Stewart, who also manages former UFC champion Rich Franklin, discussed the fighter's plans with MMAjunkie.com's Dann Stupp for the Dayton Daily News.
The WWE has sent two notables to MMA in recent years, including current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and undefeated heavyweight prospect Bobby Lashley.
However, unlike Lesnar and Lashley, who both had very successful collegiate wrestling careers, Varon is largely starting from scratch. The former fitness and bodybuilding competitor began studying jiu-jitsu earlier this year and is currently training other aspects of MMA in Louisville, Ky.
Despite Varon's recent debut with WWE rival Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Stewart said the nonrestrictive contract will allow his client to wrestle and compete in MMA simultaneously. (In fact, Lashley also recently signed a contract with TNA and debuted with the Spike TV-televised promotion back in April.)
While Varon is certainly marketable and athletic, she has one factor working against her: her age. At 38 years old, she will likely have a limited shelf life in MMA.
Regardless, Stewart said he hopes eventually to get Varon in Strikeforce, the only major U.S. promotion that promotes women's fights. Strikeforce hosted the historic Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Gina Carano event this past weekend, and the organization has recently bolstered it's female roster with notables such as Marloes Coenen, Erin Toughill, Sarah Kaufman and Miesha Tate.
However, Stewart and Varon have their sights set on another Strikforce-contracted fighter: Kim Couture (1-1), the ex-wife of former UFC champ Randy Couture.
