(CBS/AP) Former NFL star running back and MMA newbie Herschel Walker made short work of Scott Carson on a Strikeforce card Saturday night in San Jose.
The 48-year-old Walker won his second straight mixed martial arts fight, defeating by first-round TKO an opponent who offered little resistance.
Carson connected early in the round with a kick to Walker’s head, but the 1982 Heisman Trophy winner and professional football star took over and easily dispatched his opponent.
The fight was stopped at 3:13 of the round after Walker dropped Carson with a punch.
“MMA is my love,” said Walker.
Walker won his MMA debut last January, defeating Scott Nagy by third-round TKO. A cut suffered in training delayed his return to the cage.
The 40-year-old Carson had fought only once – a loss last June – since June 2001.
“I always said I wanted to be a great athlete, ever since I was an overweight little kid,” Walker said before the fight. “I just love competing in any kind of athletics. I want to try everything, and there’s no doubt that this is some of the toughest physical activities you can do. You can compete at these things, but can you compete at the highest level? That’s what I wanted to find out.”
After excelling in track, football, bobsledding and even poultry farming, Walker turned to Mixed Martial Arts.
But why?
“There’s a lot of reasons, but at this point in my life, I really want to show that it doesn’t matter how old you are,” Walker said. “If you dedicate yourself to something, you can achieve it. It’s simple, but it’s true, and your age is just an excuse. Being in your 40s or your 50s isn’t an excuse anymore, not after they see me do it.”
