Why not Batista? asks Coker..
Posted on July 6, 2010, 03:05 PM by NikMegamanHulsteinStrikeforce officials are still floating around the idea of promoting ex-WWE star David Batista’s mixed martial arts debut. The promotion’s CEO Scott Coker said the pro wrestling personality and his team met with Strikeforce following its June 16 event at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
“They have the desire to fight in MMA and we’re trying to put together a deal that makes sense,” Coker told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show last week. “Is he signed right now? No. But is he somebody we’d like to see in the cage in the future fighting for Strikeforce? It’s a possibility.”
The 41-year-old Batista, who was a repeated WWE champion during his eight-year tenure with the pro wrestling outlet, has no reported prior combat sports experience thus far, though Coker has been told that Batista has already hired a striking coach and a ground instructor to train with.
“Just like we did with Herschel (Walker), we’d have to put him into a gym,” said Coker of a potential deal. “It doesn’t matter what gym, as long as it’s a reputable mixed martial arts academy. He has to go in there and train because if he didn’t, we’d probably have a short relationship.”
Coker said Batista’s star power, and specifically his ability to draw on an equally strong demographic of viewers outside of MMA, is an obvious selling point for the would-be fighter.
When asked if former WWE champion and decorated college wrestler Bobby Lashley was under consideration as a potential opponent for Batista, Coker acknowledged that the bout had some cache.
“That would just be a fun fight to watch,” said Coker.
If there were any right time to sign Batista, now could be a good one. UFC President Dana White has repeatedly declared that his pairing of pro boxer James Toney against former UFC champion Randy Couture in August is “a freak show.”
“We’re not the guys that are putting all the circus fights on,” said Coker, “but in all fairness, look at Brock Lesnar. He made the crossover. Why not Batista?”
As opposed to KImbo Slice -- who was reportedly released by the UFC after a second-round defeat to fellow novice Matt Mitrione in May -- Coker said there was an element of surprise in how Batista would fair.
“I think Kimbo’s had his run, so to speak,” said Coker. “He’s kind of had his time in the MMA business whereas Batista hasn’t and Herschel hasn’t. We already know how Kimbo will do, so, to me, there’s a little curiosity factor (with Batista).”
source: Sherdog.com
Comments
Right now my mind is saying too old and he doesn't have the wrestling ability of Brock or Lashley but who knows. He might be good for a victory or 2.
Maybe... But I think he's to old... Epsecially if he doesn't have any combat (sports) experience
I cant believe he's 41
Wow Nik, your writing abilities are great here.
I heard the UFC was changing their name also to WWE-REAL lol
"look at Brock Lesnar. He made the crossover. Why not Batista?”
Did Scott Coker really say that? If he did that would have to be one of the dumbest things an MMA president has said ever.
Bastista:
- 41 years old with no combat sports experience!
Lesnar:
- Achieved national amateur wrestling championships
- about 30 years old when he debuted in MMA
Batista has no credibility... even Herschel Walker had a little with a Taekwando background. Go back to WWE man its embarrassing.
Coker did say that...according to Sherdog.....
Brock can get destroyed in a UFC title up until point of opponent gassing and remain champ, there's no reason Batista cannot do the same.
Unless Fedor resigns for strikeforce that is.
i had so much hope for strikeforce but they are losing credibility day by day. dana= bad coker=worse
No-one knows what Batista can do until he steps into the cage. Coker would sign anyone who has potential, why wouldn't he? His company needs all the help it can get right now.
every body shut up we dont know if batista will suck or if he will dominate unti he has a fight christ u alll sound like 14 year old nerds who thinks they know everything about mma just because u watch it
Yeah and lets put Hulk Hogan in an MMA match against legitimate fighters we'll never know how well he would do unless he actually fights...
here is another douche how thinks they know everything about mma ur compering apples and oranges atleast batista has some skill he has been training mma for 3 years how long have u been unless ur a fat couch potato who only think they mma
I dont know everything about MMA, but you you must be a moron to think Batista has a chance of being a legitimate professional MMA fighter and not a complete freakshow
with strikeforce's heavyweight talent ya he does have a shot if he trains like hell the only one who is a threat to batista is lashley if he was in ufc that would be a different story he will probably be fighting Herschel Walker if he gets a contract and thats an easy fight the dude is 50 something years old
Batista is in his 40s.....