In a surprise announcement during Saturday’s UFC 181 PPV, former WWE pro wrestler Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) announced that he has signed with the UFC. He indicated that he would have his first in 2015.
Unlike WWE pro wrestler and former UFC fighter Brock Lesnar, Brooks does not have a pedigree in a combat sports discipline although it is documented that he has trained extensively in Jiu Jitsu and Kempo Karate. Lesnar had a legitimate background prior to entering the Octagon. He also did one fight outside of the UFC before signing.
There is much debate on the signing as Brooks stated that this is his new career. This, despite a recent announcement he was assisting in writing a comic book for Marvel. He did not give many details about where he would train and when his first fight would be.
For those wondering, PPV buys for notable debuts of fighters with not a traditional MMA pedigree are as follows:
UFC 81 – Brock Lesnar (Noguira-Sylvia main event) first fight 600K
UFC 113 – Kimbo Slice (Machida-Rua main event) 520K
UFC 118 – James Toney (Edgar-Penn II) 570K
While it should be respected that Brooks comes at this opportunity with respect, it seems like a “bucket list” thing to do. The fact is he is 36 years old with notable health issues (outlined as recently as the infamous Colt Cabana podcast) entering a tough sport. Regardless of what you may think of pro wrestling, it is a rough business that takes a physical toll on your body. And thus, this won’t go well inside the Octagon. However, if you are looking at the spectacle aspect of this, it should draw some casual, crossover fans.
And while a lot of people within MMA and pro wrestling know of CM Punk, don’t look for his signing to grab a ton of new fans. What would be interesting is to see if the UFC can sign Brock Lesnar and put him on the same card as Brooks? Is the signing an act of desperation by the UFC, strategy to keep him away from a potential Bellator signing or a desirable business move?
What will be interesting to see is whether Brooks will comment on things like drug testing in the UFC, the new Reebok uniform deal and the lack of a union for fighters? Those things are much more interesting to know about than what will actually happen in the Octagon
Ufc. Is desperate any gimmick will do hahahaha….people are getting tired of dw b.s….
This looks absolutely terrible on the UFC, it shows what the UFC is really all about. When I first heard the rumors I thought it was so crazy that I didn’t give it a second thought. Here is a guy with ZERO professional fighting experience… if you thought the whole James Toney thing was a freakshow, well, this one tops it all. No amateur collegiate wrestling experience, no grappling tournaments in Judo or BJJ, no golden gloves, no kickboxing… I mean, if all it takes to make it to the UFC is to say that you have an on and off relationship with BJJ and did some Kenpo on the side well I guess ANY weekend warrior can make it to the UFC.
Dana: This is a real sport!!
Fans: Not really.
The UFC has officially jumped the shark and there is no turning back.
The UFC has no choice, they should just sign any side show gimmick they can find. The sport was never developed properly and was driven by a huge half a billion dollar injection of financial steroids. This guy will ruin the UFC in the long run. I’m sure all the fighters that have been breaking their asses year after year are real happy bahahhaha At least now they will get their real fan base back The WWE retards!
I don’t mind this in moderation. Its a good idea if it isn’t over used. Business wise its a great idea. WWE just created a network that saved hardcore wwe fans Hundreds of dollars a year. These are proven ppv buyers who have disposable income the wwe has left on the table. This is a waay for the UFC to tap into that.
It is ideas like this that the ufc has used to spark the sport from the start. Its how you get eyes and people invested in the other fighters. Which is more important now thaan ever with so many more fighters and divisions that are unknown. The effects f this will impact ppv buys, tv ratings, ticket sales, etc and the effects will last long after CM Punk is gone. Ken Shamrock was used to bring fans to the ufc and in the process built guys like Franklin and many others during the period with the audience. They did the same with Brock.
In the end Punk will sink or swim based on his own merit. If he isn’t any good. The comp in the UFC will chew him up and spit him out and he will be done very quickly.
That doesn’t make any sense “logical”. He will do much better than Toney and the world didn’t come to an end when that fight happened. In fact I was there live and it was a great atmosphere and made for a good event. Also he has the money and the passion to go through a crash course training camp. There is no doubt he will be better than some of the rookies the ufc bring from the minors in their attempt to find talent. You think these no names with 4-0 records in bum fuck Iowa are any good? Would you feel better if Punk beat 5 bums in an alley to put a meaningless record on Sherdog? BJ Penn’s first MMA fight was UFC 31…
Ha BJ Penn was one of the first americans to be a BJJ black belt. Look how the UFC nose dived since Brock left, same thing will happen even worse. You can’t keep injecting novelties in a sport and expect any longevity. Real fans will watch, new fans will watch but for how long? How many Brock fans are watching now? NONE!! Its a cheap attempt for a quick fix for the UFC and in the long run it won’t work! Better idea would be to put a house full of wwe guys and kick start TUF. Dana can’t wait that long he needs ppv and ratings now. Lets see how this guy can perform, I will be very interested to see him fight. James Toney was a proving point for Dana nothing else, If Dana had groomed and developed Toney they would have made a decent showing and he would have fought many times, unfortunately Dana has no clue what he’s doing and I doubt he’s learned anything. Wait till the other fighters see how the UFC treats this guy, hello bellator!!
Saldaqueef,
Punk has been training for years with the younger Gracies. He is no fraud or novelty like Hershel Walker, Toney or Batista, etc.
You are too stupid to realize also the Toney fight was to expose boxers as incompetent in the cage.
In moderation b.s.? Hahahahahahaha…
Ahahahahahahahahaha.
Sinking ship… Yep!
🙂
Bahaha D everyone on the face of the earth except you and dana think and know better. Your such an ass clown bahahha. Sell that bullshit to some 11 year old wwe fan you fuck turd
Sal, your autism is flaring up again. Better have dirty uncle Bob check it out homo.