Russian MMA veteran Shlemenko offers himself to replace Woodley in Lawler bout, promises 'fun fight'
Former Bellator MMA champion Alexander Shlemenko of Russia has made a proposal to replace injured Tyron Woodley in the fight against Robbie Lawler, which was scheduled to happen on June 29 as part of the UFC 3 on ESPN card.
Arguably the most popular Russian MMA fighter not signed to the UFC, 34-year-old Alexander 'Storm' Shlemenko has set his eyes on making a deal with the leading MMA promotion, as on Sunday he made a social media proposal to replace former welterweight champion Woodley.
"Hey Robbie Lawler I heard you need an opponent for June 29th. I’m ready. @UFC @DanaWhite @RoeRogan let’s make it happen," Shlemenko wrote on Instagram.
"Ask Gegard Mousasi, he can prove that this fight will be fun," he added, making a reference to his 2017 Bellator bout with the former UFC middleweight.
His fight with 'The Dreamcatcher' resulted in a controversial decision victory for the Dutch fighter, although Mousasi suffered significant damage and was taken to hospital with broken orbital bone right after the bout.
Nicknamed Storm, Shlemenko has a pro record of 70 fights with 58 wins, 12 loses and who headlined at each event he has taken part in in Russia in recent years.
Shlemenko's rise to fame in his home country started in 2010, when he signed with Bellator MMA. Since then he has fought under the organization's banner as many as 18 times, recording 12 wins, 5 loses and one no contest, while also becoming Bellator middleweight champion in 2013, defending the title three times.
Last Friday Woodley announced that he would be unable to fight Lawler due to a hand injury. The bout was supposed to be his first fight since losing his title to Kamaru Usman in March. It was also supposed to be a rematch between the two, after Woodley's first-round KO of Lawler in 2016.
