It has been eight long months since CM Punk signed with the UFC, and the former pro wrestler still doesn't have a scheduled date or opponent for his debut. Cathal Pendred, welterweight who is 17-3-1, is looking to speed that up a bit.
After some prodding from Pendred, Punk was baited into a lengthy war of words on Twitter. It started here (and warning, there is a heap of NSFW language below):
CM Punk on the pads making me look like Muhammad Ali ???? pic.twitter.com/o6HQ1PNkJA
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) August 11, 2015
Punk would quickly fire back:
Ali wasn't a boring twat. Sweet emojis. Focus more on you, maybe you'll win a fight without a gift from the judges. https://t.co/kP7QgPHK0n
— Coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
From there, things quickly spiraled into petty insults:
I've been called out by everybody.I'm an easy target.YOU, are a coward and a pussy.Shouldn't you call out somebody in the top ten? @Pendred
— Coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
I didn't call you out there you moron. I was just pointing out how shit you looked. https://t.co/8wC7m24fr3
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) August 11, 2015
I'll tell you what I don't see in the mirror.. A 40 year old, washed up wrestler who's used his fame to get into UFC https://t.co/zISezKTVyr
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) August 11, 2015
Everybody watch out for the "Ali like" movement. http://t.co/c8tNPq9lY3
— Coach (@CMPunk) August 11, 2015
There is plenty more to be found on their respective Twitter accounts.
It is worth noting that Pendred has been angling for a fight with Punk for months now, dating all the way back to the day after Punk's signing with the promotion was first announced, with Pendred strongly implying on Twitter that he was booked to face Punk. The fight never materialized and while the two have traded barbs on a couple of occasions, this marks the first sustained exchange between the two.
At this point, there do not seem to be any firm plans regarding Punk's debut. He stated on the Jon Anik and Kenny Florian podcast (h/t MMAJunkie.com) that a debut in 2016 wouldn't be out of the question, meaning it could still be a while yet before he steps into the Octagon.
When that does occur, however, it is incredibly unlikely that Pendred will be the man standing across from him.
