A few years ago the best of the best from the world of collegiate wrestling had basically one option to keep their career going. It was the Olympics or bust. Now that path leads more and more towards mixed martial arts The 2003 NCAA national champion at 149 pounds, Eric Larkin, made his professional debut last weekend in South Dakota, winning by rear naked choke in the first round. The most decorated wrestler to ever come out of Arizona State, the four time All-American had a great team around him in college and after school they helped him get ready for his MMA debut. Funny thing about Eric Larkin though... he never intended on becoming a fighter ...

The match will use the muaythai format, although elbows will be disallowed at the request of Van Damme who is an actor and doesn’t want his face cut up or disfigured. Somluck will be paid just over $100,000 which does not include the income from broadcasting. "I said I wasn’t lying," said Somluck. "I thought he was of much larger stature. But when we were standing next to each other, he wasn’t any bigger than me. So, I’m confident now. I’m better in muaythai techniques and I will have fun kicking the star. However, I won’t be careless and will keep training myself." Somluck is also hoping to be able to fight other international martial arts stars. from BloodyElbow.com