Just a week after a Bloody Elbow story quoted Dave Batista in a dismissal of his mixed martial arts prospects comes an interview in which “The Animal” reaffirms his desire to fight for Strikeforce.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, ‘Big Dave’ says that he is eyeing a three-fight tenure with the company. He first wants a tune-up fight, followed by a “big” fight (ideally against Bobby Lashley), ultimately leading into a pay-per-view bout.
“I’ve always been honest with myself,” said Batista. “I’m not getting any younger, so three fights is all I can commit to. I don’t know how I’m going to feel after those three fights. If I’m 42 and I’ve had three fights, my window of opportunity is not very large.”
The former WWE Superstar hopes to be available for training in January 2011. He feels he needs eight-to-ten weeks of training before he could enter the cage.
Many, however, have been writing off the possibility of Batista making a mixed martial arts debut. Even before last week’s interview comment emerged, various reports had said that the wrestler and the Strikeforce promotion were widely separated over money.