Ex-WWE star Batistais teaming up with MMA royalty to groom a whole new generation of face-bashers ... with a brand new GYM -- just months after his own pro-fighting career was abruptly cut short.
According to sources, the 6'6" 290-pounder is in the process of opening an MMA training facility in Tampa called Gracie Fighter Jiu Jitsu -- and if the name Gracie sounds familiar ... it's because the Gracie family is credited with establishing modern day MMA.
The gym is currently only open to close martial artist friends ... but Batista and his partner Cesar Gracie -- who trains several top fighters on the West coast -- plan to open it to the public next week.
As we previously reported, Batista was all set to sign with Strikeforce before they were bought out by UFC -- but once the dust settled post-takeover, Batista's deal was dead in the water.
Ex-WWE superstar Batista WON'T be crushing anyone's face in an MMA ring anytime soon -- because the human freak show says his deal with Strikeforce is officially kaput.
The 6'6", 290-pounder was lumbering through LAX this weekend when he explained that his deal fell through the cracks when the UFC bought out Strikeforce before they could schedule his first fight.
Batista told our guy he's "real disappointed" with the way things turned out ... adding, "I really had my heart set on Strikeforce."
Ex-WWE star Batista flashed his tats backstage at Strikeforce this past weekend -- schmoozing with MMA honchos -- and we're told, The Animal is "more ready than ever" to sign on the dotted line.
The former wrestler met with officials at the MMA organization on Saturday in San Jose -- and according to sources close to six-time WWE champ, "Batista is really eager to get in the ring and show everyone what he's made of."
There's no official deal yet -- even though it's been in the works for months -- but the iron's hot ... in fact, we're told Batista even met with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker to talk shop during his visit .. and they're both gunning for an early 2011 MMA debut.
Deal or no deal -- Batista quickly established his supremacy in the pec'ing order.
TMZ has obtained the first action photos of former WWE superstar Batistadoing some full-contact sparring ... in preparation for his transition into the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Batista has been in San Francisco training with MMA legend Cesar Gracie -- and sources close to the fighter tell us Batista is moving significantly closer to finalizing his contract to finally get in the ring by "early next year."
As we previously reported, Batista is trying to work out a deal with Strikeforce and there are rumblings that he could fight his former WWE foe Bobby Lashley.
In between sparring sessions -- Batista has been doing some hardcore campaigning to raise awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund ... click the video player for more information.
Former WWE champ Batista may have jumped the gun when he told us he was joining the Strikeforce MMA league -- TMZ has learned dude hasn't signed a contract ... and the holdup is cold, hard cash.
Sources involved in the negotiations tell TMZ, Batista and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker have already hammered out most of the details in their contract -- but Batista's salary is still a major sticking point.
Coker and the former WWE star are also stuck on scheduling issues -- because according to sources close to the fighter, Batista's calendar has been jam-packed with TV and movie deals since his wrestling contract expired.
We're also told Batista's camp is pissed off over Booker T.'s comments yesterday that Batista would get beat down by fellow WWE-star-turned-MMA-fighter Bobby Lashley ... telling us Batista will fight anyone, Lashley included.
Hopefully, we'll get to see for ourselves ... if Batista can ever work out a deal.
Batista may have left the WWE, but his most hated rival is still talking trash -- claiming the former heavyweight wrestling champ is gonna get crushed when Batista starts fighting for real in MMA.
TMZ spoke with WWE legend Booker T. -- who famously clashed with Batista in a real-life throwdown in '06 -- and Booker tells us he doesn't think Batista can "match up" with some of the big boys in Strikeforce.
In fact, Booker claims the 40-something-year-old wouldn't "last 5 minutes" in the ring with another WWE-star-turned-MMA-powerhouse -- Bobby Lashley.
As we first reported, Batista claims the wheels may already be in motion for his first fight ... no word if he'll get in the ring with Lashley.
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He's a former six-time WWE heavyweight wrestling champion of the world -- but this weekend Batista finally confirmed that he's now fighting for real ... for an MMA company called Strikeforce.
The 6'5", 290 pound behemoth was out in Hollywood this weekend -- where he told our camera guy about the move ... and hinted that he already has his first fight lined up.
The 40-something-year-old recently left WWE after his contract expired ... and there had been rumors floating around that he wanted to get into Mixed Martial Arts fighting.
As we previously reported, Batista was all set to sign with Strikeforce before they were bought out by UFC -- but once the dust settled post-takeover, Batista's deal was dead in the water.
