5 Opponents for Bobby Lashley if he returned to Bellator

#2. Bobby Lashley vs. Cheick Kongo

Photo credit: Lucas Noonan / Bellator MMA

A bout that many thought was inevitable in 2016 was Bobby Lashley vs. former title-challenger Cheick Kongo. Kongo would be the favorite in a potential matchup with Lashley, but that doesn’t mean Lashley wouldn’t have a chance.

Lashley would be the underdog based on Kongo being the number three ranked Bellator heavyweight. Another reason why Lashley would be the underdog is because he hasn’t faced an opponent with the quality of Kongo.

Kongo has had an excellent career resurgence since signing with Bellator in 2013. He continues to compete at a high level at age 46. Bobby Lashley would have his hands full and his path to victory may be to shoot for takedowns.

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#1. Bobby Lashley vs. Jake Hager

(Left) @bobbylashley (Right) @realjakehager

Topping this list is none other than No.10-ranked Bellator heavyweight Jake Hager. Bellator has an incredible opportunity to do something that hasn’t been done before with these two.

Since Bobby Lashley is 45-years-old, the promotion should book the fight that would get the most attention possible. Lashley wouldn’t be in Bellator’s long-term plans should he return, especially considering he’s a current WWE superstar.

Bellator president Scott Coker will have to keep that in mind should he discuss a potential one-off bout with Lashley’s management. Since Lashley is employed by WWE and a main fixture in their programming, Coker may also need WWE to sign-off. With the said, it’d be interesting if Bellator booked a bout between fighters that happen to wrestle for rival companies – Lashley for WWE and Hager for AEW.

You may be wondering why WWE would approve of Lashley competing against AEW wrestler Jake Hager. The answer is because Lashley would be the favorite. WWE may be more open to the idea of a Lashley-Hager fight as Hager started MMA much later at age 37. Even though Hager has been successful, he started at an age where most athletes and fighters begin to decline. Lashley having much more experience could be what persuades WWE to approve.

The amount of publicity the fight would receive could benefit Bellator immensely and could be too good to pass up. Lashley-Hager would surely have their respective wrestling companies invested as they’d love to have the bragging rights.