Can Batista survive in the World of MMA?
Dave Batista is a former multiple time World Champion in WWE.
Batista had done it all in professional wrestling.
After eight years, he has stepped away from the ring and is making waves by announcing that he is taking on mixed martial arts. From the sounds of it, he will be, or has already signed a deal with Strikeforce, and has gone into training with the Gracie camp.
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But this isn’t the WWE, so how well will this animal do when put into a real cage?
The obvious thing to do is draw a comparison to the two names that have paved the way for Batista; Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar.
Both have had success in MMA. Lashley is 4-0 in Strikeforce, and is coming along at a slower pace, but is still a good draw with lots of potential.
Everybody knows about Brock Lesnar's rise to prominence in the UFC.
After a bumpy start, Lesnar has dominated and is the current Heavyweight Champion.
The thing that both of these men have in common though, is a very solid background in amateur wrestling.
Lesnar is a former two time NCAA All American, two time Big Ten Conference Champion, and the 2000 NCAA Heavyweight Champion with a record of 106-5 in four years of college.
Lashley has also done well for himself in the amateur ranks, having won three national amateur wrestling championships between 1996 and 1998, and placing 4th in 1995. He was also the NAIA National Wrestling Champion in 1997 and 1998. He also continued to wrestle after joining the Army.
So what exactly does Batista have in common with these two men?
They all competed in the WWE.
Yes, that’s about it.
Dave Batista’s background is that of a former bodybuilder and sometimes bouncer.
Now this isn’t to say that having a great background in amateur wrestling is a guarantee for success. Many people with similar credentials to Lesnar and Lashley have failed. But it certainly helps.
With zero training in any form of fighting, it will be a very tough road for Batista.
Yes, he has some of the best people around helping him train, but that also calls something into question, and that would be The Animal's work ethic.
To be champions on the level that both Lesnar and Lashley have been in the past required, and still does requires lots and lots of devotion and stamina. These are things that don’t seem to be a part of Batista’s vocabulary.
Not to mention the fact that he has been injury prone in the past, and is not getting any younger (age 41 and counting)
But what does all this add up to?
Can Batista still make it in the World of Mixed Martial Arts?
I suppose it is possible.
He is targeting early 2011 for his debut, which still gives him time to learn a few things. But he is going to be getting into the cage with people who have devoted their careers to fighting. This is what they do, and its the only thing they focus on.
My guess would be that he will be fed some sub-par competition so that he doesn’t get killed in his very first bout, but he is not going to go very far.
This is one Animal that will eventually get tamed.
For another view on this subject, follow the link below.
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