With Yohan Banks being denied a license by the FSBC, well-traveled MMA veteran Jimmy Ambriz is now being considered as an opponent for Bobby Lashley at Strikeforce: "Miami" on January 30 at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The news comes courtesy of a report from FiveOuncesofPain.

The heavyweight bout is in the process of being finalized and is awaiting approval from the Florida State Athletic Commission.

This will be the third proposed match up for Lashley for the event, as he was originally in discussions to face undefeated prospect Shane del Rosario at Strikeforce: "Miami," however, promotion officials opted ultimately to scrap the match up.

Lashley was then expected to face Yohan Banks at the event, but Banks was denied a license by the FSBC to compete at Strikeforce "Miami", possibly due to his recent inactivity. However, its being reported that Banks was denied because FSBC "determined that the bout was not competitive."

Ambriz (14-12-1) most recently scored a first round TKO win over Chris Clark at a Midwest Fighting Championships event in August. Prior to the win, he had lost three straight fights against Sergei Kharitonov and Jeff Monson (x2).

Ambriz has competed all over the world during his eight-year career, fighting for notable promotions including; Pancrese, Rage in the Cage, Gladiator Challenge, WEC, King of the Cage, DREAM, K-1 Hero's, Total Combat, Extreme Challenge and Maximum Fighting Championships. He has finished all but one of his 14 career wins and holds notable career wins over Dan Bobish and Vince Lucero; while suffering losses to notables such as Josh Barnett, Justin Eilers, Scott Junk, Jerome LeBanner, Ricco Rodriguez and Chris Tuchscherer.

Lashley made his professional MMA debut in December 2008, scoring a TKO win over Joshua Franklin at just 41 seconds into their bout. The NAIA National Wrestling Champion has since went on to win his next three bouts, defeating the likes of Jason Guida, Mike Cook and, most recently, Bob Sapp at June's "Ultimate Chaos" event.

Strikeforce: "Miami" is headlined by a fight between Nick Diaz and DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis for the promotion's vacant welterweight title.

Also, Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos will put her 145 lbs title on the line for the first time against Marloes Coenen in the night's co-main event. In addition, DREAM and K-1 veteran Melvin Manhoef will make his Strikeforce debut opposite the former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler