Props: Sherdog.com

Quoteworthy:

"It's not really the direction I want to move (in), but if it's worth it and they really think he's ready and Strikeforce wants me to fight him, I'll take the fight. I've had a good game plan up to this point and I really want to move in the right direction. Dave's just starting out. I'm looking to better myself and get better opponents each time. I'm not disrespecting Dave at all, but he's new to the game. That's definitely a fight for the fans, but not so much for my career."

Strikeforce heavyweight attraction Bobby Lashley is hoping to avoid the role of welcoming committee for fellow ex-WWE wrestler Dave Bautista who is rumored to make his Strikeforce debut later this year. Lashley himself returns to the world of cagefighting after a brief stint on the injured reserves when he takes on IFL and Rage in the Cage veteran Chad Griggs at the upcoming "Houston" event from the Toyota Center on Aug. 21. Is "The Animal" a step backwards for the "Dominator?" Or does he fit right in with the Lashley resume which consists of Wes Sims, Bob Sapp and Jason Guida?