Ryback in talks with Bellator MMA
Former WWE star Ryback has been in talks over the last week with Bellator MMA about fighting. He teased an announcement on Twitter and Bellator has confirmed there have been talks, but nothing serious.
“Spoke, but nothing close,” said Bellator CEO Scott Coker.
Sources close to the wrestler confirmed to us that he’s interested in fighting and in the end it will come down to money. He spoke about the situation today on Las Vegas radio.
Ryback is nearly 35, and while incredibly strong, has never competed in any fighting sport, but he has done some training in boxing and Jiu Jitsu.
This has little to do with, from his perspective, what happened with C.M. Punk, who he wished well in his UFC debut. Punk was unsuccessful in his first fight after transitioning from the squared circle to the Octagon, losing to Mickey Gall by submission in the first round at UFC 203 earlier this month.
TNA champion Bobby Lashley also fights in Bellator.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.