CM Punk, perhaps the biggest WWE legend of the modern era, walked away from sports entertainment and decided to pursue his MMA dreams. While many experts doubted that he'd ever enter the Octagon, CM Punk faced off against Mickey Gall in a Welterweight fight that lasted all of 2 minutes, 14 seconds before submitting to a rear naked choke.
Many praised Punk for his courage and the fact that he decided to pursue his dreams at this scale. However, rumours have surfaced recently that he may fight yet again. This is probably because the UFC did great numbers during Punk’s Octagon debut.
We think it is dreadful news and believe Punk should stay away from the Octagon. Here are 5 compelling reasons why.
#5 It tarnishes Punk's WWE legacy
CM Punk, with his pipebombs, was the Champion of the common man on WWE television who said things that needed to be said and dared to take the fight to the powers that be. He fought against the odds and captured the coveted WWE Championship from John Cena at Money In The Bank 2011.
This is the image of CM Punk that wrestling fans cherish in their mind, and this is the image that was destroyed by Mickey Gall as he clobbered Punk to win the much-hyped UFC 203 contest. Fans in WWE still drown the show with ‘CM Punk’ chants, especially in his home state.
They remember Punk as a proud WWE champion, not someone fighting on the ground, struggling to survive in a fight. Another fight, another loss... and fans may be completely shattered.
#4 He could get seriously hurt the next time
CM Punk quit WWE mainly because of health reasons. Towards the end of his run in the company, Punk had been working a full schedule despite suffering a near fatal MRSA infection. Moreover, he had suffered many concussions, insomnia, broken ribs, an injured knee and the ability to eat and enjoy any food.
We’re glad those days are behind this all-time fan favourite. At the same time, if he chooses to enter the Octagon, those cursed days may return once more. It’s one thing to work through injuries during simulated fights, but it’s another thing entirely to face someone who’s gunning to take you down.
Especially if he is a trained mixed martial arts fighter fighting at the highest level of the business. Let it go, CM Punk. Let a legitimate fighter take your place.
#3 It's unfair to other UFC fighters
CM Punk worked the independent circuit in wrestling for years before he became the WWE Champion. However, he was thrust right into the limelight by getting a coveted spot on a UFC pay-per-view without having fought one amateur bout.
Other MMA fighters were more deserving of the spot that Punk got, having worked their way up the ranks, sadly without the star power that is associated with Punk. There is a route that most fighters follow to the UFC and Punk had bypassed the same. His payday was also significantly higher than Gall's. This is extremely unfair indeed.
#2 He seriously lacks technique
Within seconds of the bell ringing, CM Punk was on the mat with Mickey Gall on top. As Gall pulverised the ‘best in the world’, raining blow after blow on the man, eventually making him tap out to a rear-naked choke, it was obvious that Punk hadn't trained enough to compete at such a high level at all.
He needs to go back to the drawing board and work on his technique before he steps into another MMA fight, much less a high-profile UFC fight. Punk trains with some of the best coaches, and he needs to brush up on his basics.
#1 He makes the UFC look like a joke
WWE constantly brings in celebrities from the mainstream media, to attract new viewers to their product. UFC tried doing the same with CM Punk, putting him in such a high-profile bout.
The gamble paid off, as it was a huge payday for them, and CM Punk too! However, this decision has been criticised by many serious MMA fans, who think it waters down a serious combat sport. UFC is supposed to be a showcase of the best MMA fighters from across the world and CM Punk is certainly not the best in the world, at least in this regard.
Now that CM Punk has lived his dream, let’s hope he stays away from the Octagon.
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