CM Punk will officially join Brock Lesnar as the second former WWE champion to make the transition to MMA and compete in the UFC.
The former professional wrestling star made an appearance Saturday night on the live pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 181 and shocked the world with news that he had signed a fight deal with the UFC.
There were hints leading up to Saturday night’s announcement that some kind of deal could get done. UFC President Dana White expressed interest in signing Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, during an interview Friday on The Jim Rome Show. He even teased Punk debuting against an opponent of equal MMA experience.
Not only has Punk never fought, but he also doesn’t have a world-class wrestling background to lean on like Lesnar, who was immediately fed to the wolves upon entry into the UFC.
Despite the obvious trail of bread crumbs, it was still a bit of a surprise to hear that Punk would actually be competing in the UFC and not commentating or some other suit-and-tie-type gig.
“I’d say my professional wrestling days are over. I’m sure I’m gonna have to do plenty of wrestling [in the cage],” Punk told UFC commentator Joe Rogan. “…The idea of being able to step into the Octagon and find out what’s inside myself and test myself is an opportunity that I was not able to deny myself.”
Moments after Punk’s announcement, Twitter lit up with mixed reactions from MMA fighters and professional wrestlers.
I am the proudest wife in the world. pic.twitter.com/N02RJzumQK
— A.J. (@WWEAJLee) December 7, 2014
WHA?!?!?! @CMPunk!!?!!!!?!! #cantwait
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 7, 2014
BREAKING NEWS: I'm headlining wrestlemania 31.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 7, 2014
@ufc sign a fake wrestler, but not an Olympian who is the best WW in the world. Amateur move.
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 7, 2014
I wouldn't be the first Irishman to stomp @CMPunk. @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/5ypIINPlWF
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) December 7, 2014
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 7, 2014
I see @cmpunk wants to kick ass, well he can kiss my ass! Welcome to the Ufc, let's do this! @ufc @danawhite
— michael (@bisping) December 7, 2014
My biggest concern is that now w/@CMPunk in @ufc, I will have competition on promos!! Cant wait 2 punch u next time u are in LA!
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) December 7, 2014
I swear if CM Punk goes on a tear, I'm gonna start wearing those big ass boots in my walk outs. You just never know
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) December 7, 2014
Kind of cool that @CMPunk is going to fight. I can't wait to read all the tweets of shitty 1-0 & 2-0 fighters calling him out.
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) December 7, 2014
Congrats to @cmpunk on @ufc contract! https://t.co/LxPpnBtMGx
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 7, 2014
Idk if I'm that impressed by the CM punk news. Is it that big of a deal? And why?
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) December 7, 2014
CM PUNK SHOCK THE WORLD BUBBA
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) December 7, 2014
With no official fight date or opponent in sight, Punk told Rogan that he plans on doing a test weight cut to decide if he wants to compete at middleweight or welterweight.
He has yet to make a decision on which fight camp he will joining.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon.
