CM Punk is 'super OK' if UFC debut doesn't take place until 2016

Phil “CM Punk” Brooks

Ever since the UFC announced it signed Phil “CM Punk” Brooks to a UFC contract in early December, questions have swirled about when and where the former professional wrestling superstar will debut.

A little more than six months into full-time MMA training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Punk (0-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said he still doesn’t have an answer to those questions.

At first it looked like his debut was targeted for this year. However, head coach Duke Roufus revealed that he’d like to work with Punk for a full year before he moves onto active competition. That means the most likely date for Punk’s debut would be in early 2016.

“I’m super OK with it if my accountant is,” Punk said with a laugh in a recent interview on The Jon Anik and Kenny Florian Podcast. “I know Duke has told me, and I think he’s been public with it, that he would like a full 12 months before he signed off on me fighting. I’ve had zero talks with Dana (White) or Lorenzo (Fertitta) or Joe Silva – anybody – about an opponent, about a date. I’m thankful for that because there’s zero pressure on that, too.

“I think a lot of people are antsy. They’re saying on Twitter, ‘Ah, you’re never going to fight.’ This was just announced in what? November? December? I’ve been training full-time for like six months. As bad as I have the itch to get in there, like I said, I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be. I wouldn’t be upset if it got pushed into 2016.”

When Punk first signed with the UFC, there was a media whirlwind around his name. The 36-year-old has a considerable following from his long career in pro wrestling, particularly his time in the WWE, where he was once the longest reigning WWE champion of the past 25-plus years.

In the months following the announcement, though, Punk has mostly stayed clear of the spotlight and focused on training. He’s in the gym on a daily basis with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and current ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren, both of whom have spoken highly of Punk’s development.

Punk said he’s been forced to “sink or swim” in his current training environment. While some days are more difficult than others, he said his mental fortitude allows him to keep up with the pace.

“It’s just a grind,” Punk said. “I wrestled for stupid lengths of time in front of almost 100,000 people. You deal with an adrenaline dump and all that stuff. When you’re sparring and doing those rounds and everyone in the gym is, to be honest, light years better than you. I really think it is sink or swim. It’s just getting through that round. Physically I’m always there. My legs are always under me and I’m never out of breath. I think to go forward in any aspect of MMA, it’s all mental. Luckily I’m pretty strong there.”

When Punk was with WWE he walked around at more than 200 pounds. He said in just a brief period of training MMA he’s slimmed down and is currently walking around at 190 pounds with 12 percent body fat. At first Punk believed he would be fighting in the UFC’s middleweight division but now claims he’s “shooting for” welterweight.

These decisions aren’t final, however, and Punk said he plans to know more details when the time comes to book his debut fight. When’s that going to be? Punk said he doesn’t know, and he’s also in no rush to find out.

“I’m also looking at the big picture; this isn’t a one-and-done thing for me,” Punk said. “I’m not looking to fight just once, win, lose or draw. This is something I’m training for, and I feel like it would be a super waste of time if I was just training for one fight or anything like that, if I wasn’t just making a career out of it. Getting beat up in the gym every day wouldn’t be worth it in the big picture.

“I’m not saying I’m going to make a title run or anything like that, but I’m also – I’m looking to maximize my time here. If I wind up fighting in 2016, I’m not going to be upset about it.”

For more on the UFC’s schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.