Breaking Update – Alberto Del Rio To Bellator MMA?

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer

UPDATE x 2: We can confirm that Bellator is looking to sign professional wrestlers to fighter contracts. Alberto Del Rio is one of their targets of interest.

As previously reported, WWE tried to include MMA in their no-compete clause when he was let go from the company. Del Rio reportedly agreed to certain parts of the no-compete clause; it isn’t known whether MMA was part of that. FOX Sports writer Damon Martin posted the following to Twitter, claiming that Del Rio is “itching for a fight”:

Donde puedo ver @UFCEspanol #ppv en Guadalajara ? En donde las pasan? Where can I watch #UFC #ppv in #Guadalajara ?

— Alberto El Patron (@VivaDelRio) December 7, 2014

Del Rio was in Mexico last night and posted the following to his Twitter feed, asking fans if they knew how he could watch UFC 181 in Guadalajara:

Donde puedo ver @UFCEspanol #ppv en Guadalajara ? En donde las pasan? Where can I watch #UFC #ppv in #Guadalajara ?

— Alberto El Patron (@VivaDelRio) December 7, 2014

UPDATE: Sources within Spike TV and those close to Bellator MMA claim that the promotion has a plan to bring in professional wrestlers as MMA fighters. The company has what is described as a “gameplan” to bring in current and former wrestlers to bolster their roster. Bobby Lashley is currently part of the promotion.

The plan is to utilize wrestlers’ mic skills to build off potential “storylines” and create more media attention for them. No wrestlers are confirmed as being contacted but the company was previously reported as being interested in Brock Lesnar, and PWInsider says that he and Alberto Del Rio are the style and level of talent being looked at. Del Rio has fought in MMA before and has a career record of 9 – 5, with his last fight having taken place in 2010.

ORIGINAL: There is said to be of interest from MMA companies in signing former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio (Alberto Rodriguez). Following up on the blockbuster news that CM Punk has signed a multi-fight deal to compete in UFC, According to sources, CM Punk jumping to the world of Mixed Martial arts is just the beginning.

Last month, Bellator MMA proved once again that MMA is a star-driven business, with the Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar fight on Spike TV being called a “game changer” for the entire industry. That show did record ratings on Spike up against the UFC pay-per-view from Mexico City.

One source recently stated that “you will not believe some of the stuff that is going to happen in the next couple of weeks, if certain negotiations go through.”

Del Rio trained with MMA fighter Marco Ruas and fought for the MMA Promotion “Deep” in the early 2000s. He would go on to sign with with Pride Fighting Championships in 2003, earning himself a 14-9 MMA record, with 2 of the wins by knockout and 7 by way of submission submission.

If Del signs with Bellator or UFC, that would mark the third former WWE Champion to sign with a major MMA company (plus, Bobby Lashley fighting for Bellator).

Del Rio’s recently contractual settlement with WWE is similar to CM Punk’s situation, in the sense that WWE tried to include a no-compete clause that would have prevented him from jumping to MMA (or TNA).

FOX Sports writer Damon Martin noted on Twitter that Rodriguez is itching to fight.

Del Rio was in Mexico last night. Prior to UFC 181 going live on pay-per-view, he was asking fans on twitter to help him find a way to watch the show in Guadalajara.

Donde puedo ver @UFCEspanol #ppv en Guadalajara ? En donde las pasan?
Where can I watch #UFC #ppv in #Guadalajara ?

— Alberto El Patron (@VivaDelRio) December 7, 2014