Well here's an interesting story. One of the reasons why Batista wanted to leave WWE at the time was not only to heal but he's telling people he doesn't like where WWE is going with their current product.
Batista is telling TMZ that he's going to fight for the MMA promotion Strikeforce. HOWEVER a representative from Strikeforce told MMAJunkie.com that Batista hasn't signed a contract with them.
Source: TMZ, MMAJunkie.com
TMZ: "He's a former six-time WWE heavyweight wrestling champion of the world -- but this weekend Batista finally confirmed that he's now fighting for real ... for an MMA company called Strikeforce. The 6'5", 290 pound behemoth was out in Hollywood this weekend -- where he told our camera guy about the move ... and hinted that he already has his first fight lined up. The 40-something-year-old recently left WWE after his contract expired ... and there had been rumors floating around that he wanted to get into Mixed Martial Arts fighting. "
TMZ Video w/Batista confirming this:
http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/21/dave-batista-wwe-mma-strikeforce-mixed-martial-arts/?mediaKey=f571ba1b-c831-40f0-b6ca-1f8d688b746c&isShareURL=true
MMAJunkie: "Despite a rash of recent reports, former World Wrestling Entertainment performer "Batista" (David Bautista Jr.) has not signed with Strikeforce.
The 41-year-old aspiring MMA fighter "definitely has not signed" with the organization, Strikeforce spokesperson Mike Afromowitz today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
Numerous reports of the supposed signing popped up this morning after TMZ.com issued a story quoting Bautista as having a deal.
Afromowitz declined to comment on anything beyond the denial of a signed deal. But additional sources told MMAjunkie.com officials have had informal talks with Bautista and may eventually offer a contract.
They stressed, though, that no such deal is imminent.
Bautista began on the pro-wrestling circuit in 2000 and joined the WWE in 2002. Although once one of the organization's most marketable stars, he cut ties with the WWE in May.
He could join UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Strikeforce heavyweight Bobby Lashley as WWE vets who eventually made the move to MMA.
Although slightly smaller than his "billed" wrestling height of 6-foot-6 and weight of 290 pounds, Bautista would compete in MMA's heavyweight division. If the wrestler does sign with the California-based promotion, a bout with NFL veteran Herschel Walker, who made his MMA debut with Stikeforce early this year, could be a possibility given its marketability and both fighters' limited cage experience."
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