Former NFL star Shawne Merriman has started his new mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LOXF). The ex-All Pro linebacker is looking to bring eyeballs to the promotion, so he has called out WWE and ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy‘ star Dave Bautista.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Merriman confirmed he’d like to step into the cage against the professional wrestler-turned-actor, who faces Triple H at WrestleMania 35 this weekend:
He looks good, man. I know that people will watch that,” Merriman said. “I know people wanna see that. If he was down to do it, I would do it in a second. I wouldn’t even question that one.
Batista is a very busy man. Not only is he one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars, but he has been creating quite the career for himself in Hollywood. It would take quite a bit of monetary convincing to get “The Animal” to return to the cage. Batista has fought professionally once before, defeating Vince Lucero in a heavyweight bout in 2012:
I know he’s got other stuff going on, but why not give the people something they want to see.
Merriman, 34, had one last message for the 50-year-old Batista:
Hey Batista, if you’re watching this dude, we’re both from the DMV area. I got mad love and respect for you. I know you been around the game a long time, and people wanna see it. Come on. I’ll be ready.
