CM Punk did an interesting interview with Ariel Helwani of Fox Sports following last night’s UFC 181 pay-per-view. The two have talked numerous times before, but this was the first time Ariel has interviewed Punk as an official MMA fighter with a guaranteed multi-fight contract in the UFC.
The former WWE Champion noted that the actual deal was signed “about a week ago” when UFC heads Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta flew to Chicago to discuss the acquisition. Punk again clarified that he’s eyeing a spot in the Middleweight division after losing 15 pounds in the last three weeks, but is “open to other things”, meaning a potential weight cut to Welterweight. He told Ariel that he will not fight until he’s ready, which might mean a full six months of training, but realizes at 36-years-old his window is small and wants to debut in 2015.
In regards to criticism that CM Punk is a “fake wrestler” and doesn’t deserve a spot in the biggest MMA organization in the world, he had the following to say:
“At the ripe old age of 36 I’m trying to be less of a hot head, and see where people are coming from. And I understand – if that’s your opinion, that’s awesome; it’s my job to change your mind, although that is not going to be one of my hang-ups. I’m not going to deal with negativity. Plus, I think it’s part of the game. There needs to be fighters that call me out and say those things, I just hope somebody is more creative because the ‘fake wrestler’ thing is a little too obvious.”
UFC Women’s Bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey was excited for the announcement of Punk coming to UFC, and several other fighters and potential match-ups have thrown their name into the ring to have first dips at the “Second City Saint”.
WHA?!?!?! @CMPunk!!?!!!!?!! #cantwait
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 7, 2014
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) December 7, 2014
I wouldn’t be the first Irishman to stomp @CMPunk. @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/5ypIINPlWF
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) December 7, 2014
