One of the most exciting up-and-coming heavyweights in the world has signed on with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

[Prior to his June 27 pay-per-view fight against Bob Sapp for Prize Fight Promotions], former WWE star Bobby Lashley will step into the MFC ring on Friday, May 15 at MFC 21: "Hard Knocks" live from the River Cree Resort and Casino and airing live throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico on HDNet Fights.

A chiseled and imposing figure at six-foot-three and 265 pounds, Lashley is an exciting heavyweight prospect.

"Bobby Lashley is a phenomenal athlete and a very impressive fighter who wants to make a big name for himself in mixed martial arts," noted MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich. "He is a very exciting prospect and he will get a monumental opportunity to break into the spotlight at MFC 21."

Lashley (2-0) won his MMA debut with a 41-second TKO of Joshua Franklin in December 2008. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Jason Guida in March.

At Hard Knocks, Lashley will square off against Mike Cook (7-3) who is trained by legendary mixed martial arts persona Frank Shamrock.

"We are excited to partner with the MFC to feature the network debut of Bobby Lashley on HDNet," said HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon. "Bobby's size, name recognition and collegiate wrestling background make him an unbelievable prospect in the heavyweight division."

Lashley had a successful amateur background in wrestling, twice winning the NAIA college championship and then winning pair of U.S. Armed Forces titles. The Junction City, Kansas, native propelled his amateur abilities into the professional wrestling ranks with the WWE. During a three-year run, Lashley won three championships with the WWE, appeared on numerous pay-per-view events, and held prestigious spots on the WWE programs RAW, Smackdown!, and ECW.