Ex-WWE star Batista is 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.

TMZ has obtained the first action photos of former WWE superstar Batista doing some full-contact sparring ... in preparation for his transition into the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Batista has been ...

Davey Boy Smith Jr. assisted Batista in training for his MMA fight in 2012, and Smith recently talked about the experience. Batista competed at CES 13 on October 6th, 2012, beating Vince Lucero in ...

Former WWE champion Dave Batista made his MMA debut tonight at CES MMA, facing veteran mixed martial artist (and 300 pounder) Vince Lucero in the night’s main event. It was a risky first fight for ...

Batista would probably never dream of entering professional boxing, football or any one of a dozen sports. But MMA is some kind of refuge for amateurs. At least he's being pragmatic about his chances.

He's the one who did this to us. He's the reason every pro wrestler who ever slapped on a sleeper hold thinks he can flip the switch and become a real fighter now. They see all the money Lesnar's ...