Former WWE Superstar Batista to Join StrikeForce MMA? Not According To Them

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: June 22, 2010

Like Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley before him, Batista could be the next former professional wrestling superstar to change careers to mixed martial arts. Last Saturday night, David Bautista (his real name) was caught by the cameras of none other than king shit-slingers TMZ. The 6’5″, 290-pound former champion was not too shy to say that he is done with the WWE and has hooked up with StrikeForce MMA.

When asked who he will be fighting, he responded, “I know, but I’m not telling you.” He would not give a straight answer when asked about Fedor, but he would need plenty of tune up bouts before even thinking about being a contender.

TMZ then ran to the first person associated with wrestling that they could find for a comment and Booker T was totally honest when he said that he doesn’t think Batista can “match up” with the roster of StrikeForce and that he wouldn’t “last five minutes” in the cage with Lashley, who competed in both the WWE and TNA wrestling promotions. Perhaps some of their legit backstage fighting has something to do with Booker badmouthing his former adversary.

StrikeForce has brought in athletes from other sports such as Lashley and former NFL running back Herschel Walker, so this would seem to be another method for them to keep closing the gap between them and the UFC. Any way to bring new viewers to your product is smart marketing and the 41-year-old Batista is a physical specimen. How he fares in the cage against more experienced opponents is another thing.

MuscleSport Mag has contacted StrikeForce for confirmation on this or to refute it. According to Mike Afromowitz, “We have not signed Batista.” Could this be a ploy by the former grappler to push his price up by either TNA or WWE? We shall see.

WRESTLING CAREER

2000 – Ohio Valley Wrestling debut (as Leviathan)

2002 – OVW Champion

2002- WWE debut as deacon Bautista

2005 – Won World Heavyweight Championship (as Batista)

Also won the same title on three separate occasions, one half of the World tag Team Champions three times (twice with Ric Flair, once with John Cena), WWE Tag Team championship once (with Rey Mysterio, Jr.), WWE Championship twice and the 2005 Royal Rumble.