CM Punk is all set to make his MMA Debut at UFC 203 tonight. A lot has been already said and done about the former WWE Champion already. It’s not been an easy ride, but Punk has been displaying the attitude of a fighter! There should be no doubt in anybody’s mind about the kind of work that CM Punk has put in to prepare for this moment. But the journey wasn’t his alone. The entire team at Roufusport, particularly the head coach, Duke Roufus have been working tirelessly to help get Punk ready for his first fight. So nobody knows how good Punk has gotten than these guys!
Roufus has been training Punk for over a year and a half now. He, like everybody including Punk, have been hearing all the negative remarks and comments about the former WWE star. Roufus is fully aware of the fact that people doubt Punk and are expecting him to fail. A loss for Punk is a loss for him. He said so during his chat with Ariel Helwani on last Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour -
"I feel responsibility physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally," the 46-year-old former kickboxing pro said. "This is, I helped them choose this path. I am emotionally connected. If he doesn’t have the performance he wants, I am going to be part of the process. So definitely. Definitely going to be that. And I’m going to have to take responsibility too. And I do."
Roufus has played a major role in the careers of fighters such as former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and ONE Championship star Ben Askren to the top of the game. But the scenario is is completely different with someone like Punk, who had no real fight experience before signing with the UFC. We don’t know exactly what went into getting Punk ready, but rest assured, it must’ve been a long, strenuous process.
He said:
"I’m a firm believer in we win and we lose together. There’s not going to be excuses, just adjustments if that’s the case. Me as a former fighter there’s nothing worse than when people turn their coattails on you and run. It’s happened to me personally myself, and it’s like losing your parents, when your coaches turn on you, or people turn on you. It’s one of the hardest sports in the world. I have no regrets being in it. The only thing I’m regretful over is bad behavior by people. It takes a special person to go in there and do what these guys do, on the stage that they do it, and not to have respect for people who do that it really saddens me. Because this is a special sport and they’re special people, and I’m always there with my guys and women, win, lose or draw.”
Roufus also talked about why he need 365 days to get Punk ready. Even though he had a shoulder injury not too long ago, Roufus believes that Punk is ready! He says that Punk has been more focused than ever once the fight agreement was signed.
"That’s when I knew he was a real fighter, too. That’s when all my fighters turn into someone else. A lot of them train year-round very well, they’re great guys that are dedicated. But I see the journey start when the bout agreement is signed. That commitment level, there’s no turning back. And I saw that in him, and that sparked his performance in getting better."
When asked about his prediction for the fight, he said:
"A knockout or submission. Wherever it’s got to happen. It could happen early, but we’re ready to go toe-to-toe…”
