Lashley Considers a Combat Sports Return
When Bobby Lashley spoke about a possible return to combat sports in August 2024, he was 48 and had recently left WWE. He said he was open to wrestling, boxing, MMA and acting, adding that he was in shape and had “a lot of gas in the tank.” The comments showed interest, but they were not a signed fight deal or a confirmed comeback.
What Lashley said about fighting again
In an interview after his WWE contract ended, Lashley told MMA Fighting that he was talking with people about several possible career paths. Asked whether boxing and MMA were options, he answered yes to both. The report did not identify a promoter, opponent, offer terms or timetable, so the story at the time was about his openness to compete again rather than a booked bout.
His MMA record and last fight
Lashley’s professional MMA record is 15-2. He won his final five bouts in Bellator, but his last professional fight was a submission win over Josh Appelt in October 2016. In 2022, Lashley explained that he had stepped away from MMA because the training and recovery demands were difficult to balance with his wrestling career and family life. That history made his 2024 comments notable, but no MMA or boxing return followed.
At the time of his interview, the 48-year-old was still weighing possibilities. He had the size, wrestling credentials and combat-sports experience to attract interest, but a decade away from professional MMA competition would make a return a very different proposition from simply staying in athletic shape.
Lashley’s career moved back to wrestling
Lashley joined All Elite Wrestling in 2024 and formed the Hurt Syndicate with MVP and Shelton Benjamin. He and Benjamin captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship in January 2025. Lashley remains active in professional wrestling; AEW’s roster profile lists his 15-2 MMA record and his tag-team championship run.
After missing time with an injury, Lashley was cleared to return to AEW in April 2026. He continued wrestling through the summer, including a win with Shelton Benjamin and their partners on the All In: London pre-show on August 30, 2026, according to AEW’s official results.
That is the clearest update to the original comeback story: Lashley did express interest in boxing and MMA, but his subsequent competition has been in professional wrestling. He is now 50, and no professional fighting return has been announced.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
