5 WWE Wrestlers Who Dabbled In MMA

2, Dave Batista

twittertwitterDave Batista (really Bautista) was once upon a time Deacon Batista, paired up with Reverend Devon after the Dudleys were split up. At least that's how he debuted back in 2002. We know where Batista has gone since then: Evolution member, Champion, then departing the WWE, breaking into Hollywood in a couple of films including a key role in the upcoming Guardian's of the Galaxy from Marvel, and last year's Riddick, and returning to the WWE this year in something of a bust. In between all that, however, Batista, so often compared to former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE monster Brock Lesnar, tried his hand at MMA. At Batista's age (he's currently 45), MMA was never a real option. Had he started ten years earlier, things might be different. However, in 2010 he made comments about competing, and was awarded his purple belt in jiu-jitsu by Caesar Gracie. He would make his MMA debut in CES's Real Pain in 2010, defeating Vince Lucero, who replaced original opponent Rashid (not Rashad) Evans, who got nabbed for parole violation. Batista would win the fight by TKO in the first round... and that's the only positive thing I can say about this fight. Well that, and good for Dave for going out and giving it a try. I'll respect anyone who sets foot in the cage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3ODn6ZykFM That said, this was an ugly mess of a fight against a journeyman who has been beaten by every legit name he's faced. Actually, there is another positive - we can at least affirm that Lucero has faced a lot of top names, including Soa Palelei, Roy Nelson, Travis Fulton, Tim Sylvia, Devin Cole, Lavar Johnson, Eddie Sanchez - and he's lost to every single one of them. With Lucero at 22-25 currently, Batista at least beat a guy with experience. Batista, for his part, wisely left MMA behind him at that point, and he can say that he tried it and won, and always wonder if things could have been different.
Contributor
Contributor

Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.