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[Cat--Smasher]

Former WWE Champion Dave Bautista to Make MMA Debut in October

Former WWE champion Dave Bautista has finally set a date for his MMA debut.

According to TMZ.com, Bautista will meet Rashid Evans (not to be confused with UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans) at CES MMA on Oct. 6 in Providence, R.I. The report states that the fight will be televised, but no broadcast outlet has been finalized just yet.

The 43-year-old Bautista, who wrestled in WWE under the moniker "Batista" and left the organization in 2010, has been flirting with MMA for quite some time. He appeared close to signing with Strikeforce last year, however, when Zuffa purchased its rival in March 2011, those plans fell through.

The wrestling veteran has trained with the Cesar Gracie team in California and owns a Gracie Fighter Tampa school in Florida.

Former WWE Champion Dave Bautista to Make MMA Debut in October - MMA Fighting

*Rashid Evans... Hell I bet this promo sells tickets off that name. How pissed will the casual fan be to show up and realize it is not Rashad vs Bautista.

[FCK]

Man, entering a new career at 43 years old?

I wonder just how beaten up his body his, and how good his cardio really is. Something about his size tells me his cardio won't be up to much.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Big Dave is doing tons of movies, big ones like the new Tarantino/RZA Kung Fu movie and the next Riddick film, this feels like another way for Batista to diversify his fanbase and garner maximum exposure.

Booker T kicked the shit out of an arrogant and brash Batista back in the day in a straight-up brawl backstage and Batista in general, has never been regarded as a tough guy. Couple that with his impeccable ability to tear every roided up muscle in his aged body on a moments notice, I don't see this as too much of a big deal. He's been training his ass off before he gets in there, which is a major plus, but he's not even in the top 10 of wrestlers who I'd like to see make a run in MMA by a longshot....

[JPeezy]

Does anyone know anything about his opponent? Sounds like they may be feeding him the tomato can of tomato cans. Could be just another gimmick to improve his tough guy image for his Hollywood career.

[FCK]

Shouldn't the title for this thread be

"Former WWE guy Dave Bautista makes mma debut october" ? Unless we are now under the delusion WWE is not scripted?

[Badluck33]

This has disaster written all over it.

I love disasters...

[pimpslappd]

Sounds like its his opponents first pro fight like Dave's which makes sense. I know after leaving WWE he has been training MMA alot so he probably just got the desire to compete a few times while he still can. Definitely a name too and if he gets a couple wins he would be talked about. Im interested to see if he has cardio, what his striking looks like. He never had a background like say amateur wrestler, did he?

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Originally Posted by FCK

Shouldn't the title for this thread be

"Former WWE guy Dave Bautista makes mma debut october" ? Unless we are now under the delusion WWE is not scripted?

Well, being a former WWE World Champion means he's a big name main eventer in the wrestling business (opposed to just some wrestler), which means he's a draw and thus, will probably get a large amount of attention and fanfare when debuting. Even if he only fights cans and freakshow fights, his name value means people will tune in, especially pro wrestling fans.

[Y2JUBAE]

Don't even know who Rashid is but I'm betting Dave gets destroyed. Guy is way too stiff.

[The Donosaur]

Its a shame wrestling got Kurt Angle after the Olympics instead of MMA.

As far as Batista goes I say 3 fights before he calls it a day. I think he'll win 1 first maybe even 2.