11:49 PM EST
Bobby Lashley has an obvious example to follow as he tries to transition from the world of sports entertainment to professional mixed martial artist.
Lashley, however, is taking a more cautious path to the upper echelon of his new sport than fellow former World Wrestling Entertainment star Brock Lesnar did before him.
Lesnar entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship for his second pro fight and won the heavyweight belt in his fourth bout.
Lashley still finds himself in the minor leagues of MMA in his fourth professional appearance, in which he will headline a small promotion in Biloxi, Miss., against Bob Sapp on Saturday.
Dubbed "Ultimate Chaos," the bout probably will be more rumble than MMA exhibition.
"Let's be honest, this fight is going to be a train wreck. It's two guys going out there to bang, and it's not going to take three rounds to do it, either," Lashley said at a news conference. "One, maybe two."
Like Lesnar, Lashley had impressive amateur credentials before he started competing in the WWE's scripted matches.
Lashley won back-to-back NAIA national titles in 1997 and 1998 for Missouri Valley College and won two Armed Forces titles while wrestling in the Army. He has started his professional MMA career with three wins, including two in the first minute.
Sapp, a third-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1997, is a fighting star in Japan. He represents Lashley's most accomplished opponent to date.
"He's big and strong, but he's yet to be tested," Sapp said. "I'm here to give him his test, and I'm here to let you know it is going to be an F."
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