Former six-time WWE champion,Dave Batista, announced this weekend that he will be making the transition into mixed martial arts. After meeting with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker last month, rumors have been rampant that he would be signing with the promotion. Although he’s 41 years old, this signing would not be an irregularity given Strikeforce’s apparent adulation with older athletes from other sports. Bobby Lashley, 33, also started in pro wrestling, and Herschel Walker, 48, is of course known for his legendary career in the USFL and the NFL.
Batista Confirms Move To MMA, And I Can Finally Write About Training With Him
Luke Thomas of SB Nation’s Bloody Elbow has contacted Strikeforce and tweeted the following:
From Strikeforce: "The report is not correct. Batista is not signed." It's false, for now, anyway. Please RT.
It is possible that they have agreed on an opponent but are still working out the details of the contract as a whole.
Batista could be an interesting addition to Strikeforce. I’ve actually rolled with him, and can say that he has as good a chance as anyone of breaking into the sport. This was a while ago, and he was really trying to keep everything on the down low. He came into my gym during an open mat, and I had to opportunity to see what he had on the ground. I’m just thankful we didn’t start from standing. After a quick introduction and a hand shake, I was immediately on my back. Closed guard really wasn’t an option, given his girth, so I just focused on trying to get a half guard sweep. I had been strictly forbidden by our head instructor to not mess with his ankles or knees, given that a wrong twist here or there on his part could blow out his ligaments. I was just going to try to take his back. He is, without a doubt, the strongest man I’ve ever ‘touched’ (forgive me) and it took everything I had to not be repeatedly flattened out. After somehow getting a half-guard sweep, taking his back and sinking in the hooks wasn’t much of a problem. The problem was sinking in the choke.
I don’t have bulky arms that make it hard to get the rear naked choke, but Batista’s arms are bigger than my thighs. He pretty easily just pulled my arms down, quickly tiring me out. Between trying to maintain my hooks, and constantly switching up holds on his neck, it made not getting bucked off damn near impossible. I’ve never ridden a bull, and never plan to, but this is as close as I’m likely to get. I think I fell off eventually, where he then set in a relentless neck crank. I’m not sure he knew exactly what he was doing, but having that big a person put their weight on you isn’t pleasant. I wouldn’t tap, but it hurt like hell. Call it a Gracie-esque moment. Basically, he never got me, and I never got him, but it was still pretty cool rolling with someone like that. He was a class act, taking pictures with the few of us there and even went to lunch with us afterward. If he dedicates himself seriously, I think he can be successful. I wish him luck.
Here’s the video from TMZ. When asked about leaving the WWE and fighting in the UFC, Batista responded:
Strikeforce. Heard it here first.
As to a possible opponent?
We’ll see. I know but I’m not telling you. I don’t want anything to do with (Fedor.)
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