WWE News: Is the Animal Unleashing His MMA Debut in the UK?

Yahoosports.com is reporting that former WWE champ Dave Batista may be making his MMA debut in Britain.

Several MMA companies have been lobbying for Batista's services, and it appears that UK promotion BAMMA is leading the pack.  According to the report, Batista wants to get in the ring prior to September, as he is slated to start working on a movie this fall.

BAMMA has its next big event in May, live from Wembley Stadium, and this could be a great platform for "The Animal" to debut. Only time will tell if Batista will indeed be a MMA fighter. The transition from pro wrestler to fighter is not an easy one.

One of the promotions hoping to net Batista is Strikeforce, the second-biggest MMA promotion in the US. Strikeforce has had many high-profile fighters work for them, like former pro wrestler Bobby Lashley and retired football player Hershell Walker, who have previously worked their way into the promotions ring.

Lashley started off on a hot streak and got buried in his last match with Strikeforce, while Walker had two fights and won them both.

On the flipside, several MMA guys have successfully made the transition to wrestling. Ken Shamrock made the biggest and most successful splash in the 90's. The former grappler was able to be in the hunt and capture the WWE Intercontinental title.

Another notable MMA fighter turned wrestler was Dan "The Beast" Severn, who captured the NWA UK and US heavyweight titles.

Only time will tell if Batista can make the transition and be successful or if he will fall flat and focus on his movie career.