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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
With Strikeforce denying that former WWE star Dave Batista had signed a contract with the organization, TMZ put out another story today on just what may be keeping it from becoming official.
Per their report, much of the details have been "hammered out" between Batista and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, but the matter of level of compensation as well as scheduling have held up pen being put to paper.
Batista has a number of TV and movie deals on his plate following his departure from the WWE earlier this year, and as such it may be difficult to put a fight together. Batista is also said to be willing to fight anyone put in front of him, including fellow WWE superstar Bobby Lashley.
Penick's Analysis: Unfortunately this seems like just a matter of time before this signing becomes a reality. Strikeforce will use him in a fight against either Herschel Walker or Bobby Lashley to try to gain a boost in ratings for an event, which in some ways can be acceptable if they have the rest of the card packed with legitimate fights and fighters. But this is really a complete joke when Scott Coker was trying to play off the reasons they weren't interested in Kimbo Slice. And for him to make comments about not putting on freak show fights when they're likely on the verge of signing a 41 year old injury prone ex-pro wrestler it's ridiculous.
I really just don't like the idea of the supposed #2 MMA organization in the U.S. giving these roster spots and giving these television slots to fighters making their MMA debut with no previous fight experience. I don't mind the James Toney issue in the UFC as much because he's a legitimate former world champ in boxing, whereas Batista's a(n) (alleged) PED user and he's coming from no legitimate fighting background. There's a big difference from what Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley brought with their amateur wrestling credentials.
RELATED STORY: STRIKEFORCE NEWS: WWE's Batista has not signed with Strikeforce (yet), talks on-going: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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