MMA Fighting reportsWWE wrestler CM Punk will accompany Chael Sonnen to the Octagon at UFC on Fox 2. Punk, a Chicago native and MMA fan, appeared on an episode of the MMA Hour last year talking about his admiration of mixed martial arts.
Payout Perspective:
Is the Punk appearance good for the UFC? Does Punk’s appearance muddy the lines between the UFC and WWE? Is it a sign of things to come with the new UFC-Fox relationship?
In the end, the Punk walkout may not be a big deal unless Fox picks up on it pre-fight. From a practical standpoint, the pairing of Punk and Sonnen will be an attraction for Chicago. It also makes sense because Punk’s character is anti-hero and Sonnen (in a way) mirrors that persona. But for the casual viewer tuning in for the first time, will they associate MMA with professional wrestling? From the WWE’s standpoint, its good, free publicity for its sport. Punk is becoming one of the top two or three wrestlers in the company and the appearance on network television can only help. Definitely, those anti-pro wrestling people cannot like the fact that the UFC is crossing over (again) into the world of pro-wrestling.
I don’t see this as being a “cross over” in that world at all myself. I would have had no idea who the guy even was if I saw him walking in with Sonnen. I highly doubt he will be walking in with his shirt off in his wrestling briefs. Wrestling fans will like it. No one else will know or care.
They’ll probably just try and avoid having Punk on camera as much as they possibly can, and on TV it will look like all the Chicago fans are cheering wildly for Chael.
Agree with Josh. Not an issue. Wrestlers have done walkouts with Mayweather after Mayweather appeared on a WWE show and no one in the world of boxing seems confused about the difference between punches thrown in the wresting and punches thrown in boxing (the latter hurt more in case anyone is wondering). Joe Rogan should give this Punk guy a shout-out during the walk-in for the sake of wrestling fans tuning in. If we’ve learned anything from the Lesnar experience it’s that wrestling fans can be induced to buy UFC PPVs. The UFC should milk it.
MMA fans talk constantly about getting “mainstream” acceptance. The closer MMA gets to pro wrestling the less likely it is to be taken seriously as a legitimate sport. They already have a history of fake rivalries, “special” matches (e.g., James Toney), unqualified youtube fighters (lookin’ at you, Kimbo) and unpredictable matchmaking (e.g., Diaz vs. GSP, Diaz off card, Diaz back on Card, etc.).
UFC is less interested in the legitimacy of the sport than it is in the bottom line. They are in it to sell tickets, PPV’s, and TV commercials, much more than they are in it to establish a sport that casual fans and mainstream media will follow. How often does your local paper cover MMA? About as often as it covers pro wrestling, I’d bet.
This is absolutely lame. I thought this crap was gonna stop with Brock gone.
I think you guys are making a big deal out of nothing. I hate pro wrestling and dont want it in MMA. But come on. I have heard the name before from some where but never have seen the guy. The pic above is the first i have seen. Unless you watch WWE you wont even know who he is and wont pay no attention to him. I highly doubt Rogan or Goldy mention him. Each fighter is allowed to bring so many cornermen for their fight. Sonnen can choose whoever he wants. Why is it alright for Seagal to be in a fighters corner but not this guy? That is much more embarrassing. Former NFL player Junior Seau was in Forrest Griffins corner. No one knew or cared. Tito has come out with Fernando Vargas.
In the end if you hate wrestling or dont watch it you wont know about it. If you like wrestling this will be a bonus. At worst the announcers will mention him being a pro wrestler and a huge fan of the sport which can only help imo. Its good to show that people from all others sports and backgrounds are fans.
Now if he was involved in some BS drama or they let him fight and protected/carried him that would be a different story.
“MMA fans talk constantly about getting “mainstream” acceptance. The closer MMA gets to pro wrestling the less likely it is to be taken seriously as a legitimate sport. They already have a history of fake rivalries, “special” matches (e.g., James Toney), unqualified youtube fighters (lookin’ at you, Kimbo) and unpredictable matchmaking (e.g., Diaz vs. GSP, Diaz off card, Diaz back on Card, etc.).
UFC is less interested in the legitimacy of the sport than it is in the bottom line. They are in it to sell tickets, PPV’s, and TV commercials, much more than they are in it to establish a sport that casual fans and mainstream media will follow. How often does your local paper cover MMA? About as often as it covers pro wrestling, I’d bet.”
– Ed Stock
I dont think it works that way. I wish it did. I have followed the sport since day one. I didnt like rules being added but it was needed to get more people to care about the sport. As much as i want things to be just about the sport it just isnt possible. Match ups arent made by throwing darts at names. People are built. The ones who are given the best match ups are the ones people pay to see. UFC wouldnt have ever been on Sportscenter or got a TV deal if not for them being able to show they have a huge following. The first big PPV under Zuffa was Ken vs Tito. Ken riding the popularity of being in the WWF drew lots of fans. Chuck Liddel brought fans because of his appearance on Entourage. Brock brought tons of fans from WWE. The non fight fans are why the UFC has grown. The UFC is a business of course they care about money. But at the same time for the sake of money they have to care about the sport and preserve it and sure it lasts a long time. But at the same time ESPN and all the other media are not going to cover a sport that has no following. To create more fight fans the UFC has to draw in these pro wrestling fans to show there is enough people that care so they get more coverage.
With Brock leaving and all the stars being hurt. PPV numbers will be in decline. It is important for the UFC to get them back up or mainstream will write MMA off as a passing fad. Also a lot of Pro Wrestling fans have become fights fans over the last couple years due to Brock. I think that is the most important thing. I dont mind doing things to get them to tune in. But i want them to stay because of the fighting. If you start doing Pro Wrestling stuff to keep them watching then that becomes a problem. Turn then into fight fans dont turn the UFC into wrestling. The UFC always promoted Brock as a college wrestler. They have done things the right way and will continue.
There are two distinct issues to Brock’s MMA career – his being signed by the UFC, and his pay. Brock fought in the UFC because of his impressive physical abilities and his wrestling background. Without those, the UFC would never have signed him. He made the money he made (probably the highest paid fighter of all time?) because of his ability to drive PPVs which came from his WWE fan base.
You don’t see the UFC signing other wrestlers because they don’t have the athletic ability to compete in the UFC. Even though signing them to a one fight deal would probably do decent PPV numbers, the UFC isn’t playing that game.
Brock was different. True his game had many holes, but he was a bona fide UFC heavyweight champ during his brief tenure. Give the guy his due.
I still think Fedor would have crushed him.