Heyman talks Punk coming back to WWE, being a rebel and his UFC transition

Heyman doesn’t see CM Punk returning to the WWE

Paul Heyman, one of the biggest advocates of CM Punk, was on the Sports Illustrated podcast this week and one of the topics that expectedly came up was CM Punk and his WWE career and the upcoming UFC debut of his.

The full interview can be found here. Below are a few highlights:

Punk and his transition from WWE to UFC

Paul Heyman makes it known that he and Punk are aware of the fact that CM Punk isn’t in his early or even mid-thirties but is steadily heading into his late 30s’ without a certifiable athletic background. Heyman also talks about the fact that while Punk has been training with world-class Jiu-Jitsu guys for several years, he has never been tested in a competition environment nor has he played any sports in high school or college. Heyman brings up Brock Lesnar as a point of comparison, who has been a wrestler since he was a kid and had a different kind of transition to make.

“Phillip Brooks does not have that background. It makes it all the more improbable, which is exactly why he’s so driven to do it.” reveals Heyman about Punk wanting to make it in the UFC. Heyman attributes Punk's drive to his self-belief that he has stemming from the fact that he recognizes himself as a rebel and a spokesperson for the things that define him. Punk sees himself as someone who will defy conventional wisdom and pull off miracles because he sees life as an opportunity to do something special with.

Will Punk ever return to the WWE

“As of right now, ain’t no way he’s ever going back. I don’t know if I can make that same statement in the future. I know his mindset is there’s absolutely no way.” reveals Heyman about Punk’s attitude towards WWE.

Speaking of his current mindset, Heyman feels Punk is completely in the frame of mind geared up for his UFC debut. “Right now, 24/7 he is envisioning the moment they lock that Octagon and the referee says ‘fight’.”