Batista MMA debut - STRENGTH FIGHTER

Rashid “Smash” Evans (to not confuse with UFC fighter Rashad Evans) was scheduled to be Batista’s first opponent. But he broke his probation and landed back to jail.

Rashid “Smash” Evans, New York, 6’2″, 225 lbs, 33 years old Amateur MMA record: 1-2

Dave “Batista” Bautista, Tampa, Florida,
6’4″, 265 lbs, 43 years old
6-time WWE World Champion

On 16 June 2010, Batista attended Strikeforce: Los Angeles, having previously registered an interest in competing in Mixed martial arts. On 21 June 2010, Batista announced to TMZ.com that he would be embarking on a MMA career.

Batista had announced that he and Strikeforce had agreed on a price and were negotiating a contract. However in April 2011, Batista announced to TMZ.com that negotiating a contract with Strikeforce fell through when Strikeforce was bought by Zuffa, LLC.

Batista was expected to make his MMA debut against Rashid Evans on October 6, 2012 at Classic Entertainment and Sports: Real Pain in Providence, Rhode Island. However on October 1, 2012 it was announced that Evans was forced out of the bout after a probation violation landed him back in jail. With Batista’s MMA debut still on for the event, Evans was replaced by 6’2″, 300+pound, 46 fight veteran journeyman Vince Lucero.

Weighting-in a lean and mean 265 pounds, 6-time WWE World Champion, 43 years old Batista aka Bautista (now nicknamed “Brass Body”) would go on to win the fight by TKO at 4:05 in the first round.