Former WWE pro Wrestler Dave Bautista, who is set to make his professional MMA debut in Providence, R.I., this Saturday, spoke to mmajunkie.com about his mindset leading up to the event, which oddly, he has yet to be given an opponent for.
“I know some people have a hard time understanding it. I’m obviously never going to make the money that I made in the WWE, and it’s not like I think I’m going to go become UFC champion.
I just want the experience. I don’t have any ulterior motive. I just want to do it because I love it so much. It was kind of a dead dream to me, but once they offered it to me I thought, why not? It was still a dream.
I at least wanted to have one fight and get that experience. If getting punched in the face is the worst thing about it, sign me up. I’ve been dropped.
I’ve been kicked to where I couldn’t walk. But I still love it. If I get my butt kicked, I might not want to do it again. I imagine I’m going to be terrified, but that’s part of the challenge.”
Classic Entertainment & Sports, which is the promotion holding the MMA event Bautista is competing in, are still seeking an opponent for him, since his original opponent, Rashid Evans, had to pull out of the fight due to legal issues.
Tickets for “Real Pain,” starring Bautista, are available through www.ticketmaster.com or at The Dunkin’ Donuts Center Box Office and are priced at $20.00, $35.00, $55.00, $75.00, $125.00 and $250.00.
The show features 14 bouts, including the return of John “Doomsday” Howard (17-7, 6 KOs), a Boston native and veteran of seven UFC bouts; nine-time UFC veteran David Loiseau (20-10, 13 KOs) of Montreal; Providence lightweight Mike “The Beast” Campbell (11-4, 7 KOs), a former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) contender; Woonsocket, R.I., bantamweight Andre Soukhamthath (2-1, 1 KO); and Pawtucket, R.I., middleweight Todd “The Hulk” Chattelle (10-7, 8 KOs). “Real Pain” will also be available on Direct TV Pay Per View for $29.95.
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