TNA star set for MMA move
August 19th, 2009 - 6:16 pm ICT by IBNSAug 19 (IBNS) In line with Brock Lesnar and fellow heavyweight Bobby Lashley, Lisa Marie Varon, popularly regarded as “Victoria” to World Wrestling Entertainment fans, will make a move into mixed martial arts.
TNA Knockout Tara, real name Lisa Marie Varon, is the former fitness and bodybuilding competitor and made her name in rival wrestling promotion WWE as Victoria.
Due to the nature of TNA’s non-restrictive contracts, the wrestling firm will allow her to begin training in MMA immediately.
She plans on making her debut early next year and JT Stewart — manager of former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin manager of former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin will aid her make the transition.
Stewart said: Obviously, with the exposure from the WWE, she already had the marquee value. 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.
Stewart claims to have held talks with Strikeforce — a rival MMA company to the UFC — about signing Varon to a contract. The MMA outfit made history last weekend by holding the first-ever major MMA event headlined by female fighters.
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Tags: autograph signings, bobby lashley, bodybuilding, competitor, endorsements, entertainment fans, fan base, ibns, knockout, lisa marie, lisa marie varon, marquee value, mixed martial arts, rich franklin, tara, tna, ufc middleweight champion, victoria, world wrestling entertainment, wwe