7 Wrestlers You Didn't Know Did MMA

3. Batista

twittertwitterThis hasn't exactly been a secret, but not nearly as many people saw Batista's lone MMA fight as you'd think. Upon leaving the WWE in 2010, star Dave Batista made it known that he wished to star in movies, and he wished to compete within MMA. He accomplished both of those. While he doesn't have the amateur wrestling background of Brock Lesnar, or the years of experience of Ken Shamrock, Batista had one thing that MMA loves--name value, and he used it appropriately. The former WWE champion trained alongside the famed Gracie family, along with former WWE star Harry Smith, and UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar. The fight, set for October 2012, aired on pay per view in CES MMA, a little known promotion basically used to promote Batista's fight. Just five days prior to the bout, opponent Rashid Evans was forced from the fight, as a probation violation landed him in jail. In his place was 40-fight veteran Vince Lucero, who Batista defeated. It wasn't easy however, as Batista labored through the four minutes of the fight, before ultimately finishing Lucero with punches. At 45-years old, it's unlikely that Batista will ever fight again.
Contributor
Contributor

Sean Ross Sapp, 28, is a convergent media major at Morehead State University, and a news/feature writer for RantSports and WhatCulture. Before taking a managerial role for the Kraken Fight Team, Sapp was a two-time submission wrestling medalist in the region. He is also a contributor to Bill Apter's 1Wrestling.com, and an editor for Cage Passion Sports. He has also published over 300 articles for Fansided. You can contact Sean Ross Sapp for news tips and radio appearances at SeanRossSapp@gmail.com