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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"They have the desire to fight in MMA and we’re trying to put together a deal that makes sense. Is he signed right now? No. But is he somebody we’d like to see in the cage in the future fighting for Strikeforce? It’s a possibility...
Just like we did with Herschel [Walker], we’d have to put him into a gym. It doesn’t matter what gym, as long as it’s a reputable mixed martial arts academy. He has to go in there and train because if he didn’t, we’d probably have a short relationship...
[A fight between Batista and Bobby Lashley] would just be a fun fight to watch...
We’re not the guys that are putting all the circus fights on. But in all fairness, look at Brock Lesnar. He made the crossover. Why not Batista? ... I think Kimbo’s had his run, so to speak. He’s kind of had his time in the MMA business whereas Batista hasn’t and Herschel hasn’t. We already know how Kimbo will do, so, to me, there’s a little curiosity factor [with Batista]."
-Scott Coker talks to Sherdog.com about Strikeforce's interest in signing former WWE superstar Dave Batista to a fight contract.
Penick's Analysis: There are so many things wrong with what he says here that it's really hard to wrap your head around the fact that he actually let these words exit his mouth. Really, Scott, you're going to compare Batista to Brock Lesnar?
Really? Because we all know Batista's an NCAA D-1 Wrestling Champion with a 106-5 amateur wrestling record. And that he's one of the most athletically gifted 265 lb. athletes in any sport. And he'd be entering MMA at a ripe age to learn the sport and have the time to progress as a fighter.
Wait a minute! He's none of those things.
Batista is 41 years old, he has a bodybuilder's physique and has been injury plagued throughout his career as a professional wrestler. He has no amateur credentials of any kind to set him up to absorb other styles of fighting. He's got no business fighting on a major stage until he's at least proven he can do something on a lower level. Even then it makes no sense to take away a slot on a televised event from the guys that Strikeforce has under contract that are awaiting fights.
The fact that Coker can even make this comparison just drives home how delusional he is right now. It seems for every bit of good will Strikeforce builds up as a promotion, Coker goes in and says something like this and turns the organization into a running joke among MMA fans. It doesn't need to be this way, but they continue to make these moves and think along these lines, and it's sad to see.
RELATED STORY: STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Money and scheduling issues reportedly all that stands in the way of Batista to Strikeforce: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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