Former WWE developmental wrestler shares some interesting thoughts on Punk signing with UFC
Former WWE developmental wrestler Kevin Matthews posted the following on his Facebook page:
I’m going to chime in on the CM Punk/UFC topic right now considering I’m a diehard MMA fan and I’m sure now a ton of wrestling fans who don’t even know who TJ Dillashaw is will also pretend they’re diehards. I’m going to touch on a lot of things people have said. I’m not an expert but more times then not I know what I’m talking about.
“CM Punk will be fed bums” – False. If the guy he’s fighting is a bum than so is he because Dana White flat out stated he will pair Punk up with a guy with an equal record to his which is 0-0. Which is completely fair. Why should they give him Michael Bisping? or should I say feed HIM to Bisping or Vitor? guys with 30+ fights under them and over a decade of experience? It’s not logical. The opponent he is going to fight is going to be a trained licensed fighter. I would like to see a competitive fight and not a slaughter so does UFC. Let the guy get his feet wet.
“CM Punk doesn’t deserve to be in the UFC” – True & False. If you’re basing it off of paying dues and earning a spot the “hard way” then sure I can see your point. However UFC is a business much like the WWE (was) where PPV buys are crucial to the companies survival and with the loss of GSP, Lesnar, Sonnen and Anderson (the last year) they lost a sh*t ton of their big PPV draws. Facts are facts Punk is a HUGE fan of Mixed Martial Arts and has practiced Kempo & BJJ for years now, how good is he? no one will know till that cage door closes. His name power got him there (Much like Lesnar & Kimbo) and his fighting will determine how long he stays there. Draws are Draws and UFC would of been foolish not to jump on the hottest free agent in the world right now.
“Punk will probably be on the Prelims” – If you believe this you need to lay off whatever meds you’re taking. Punks fights will not touch free tv by any stretch of the imagination. Image UFC signs a guy who is 100% going to hit a 1mill PPV buyrate and literally make cool 10’s of millions off of him but decide “ah, f**k it lets throw him on FS1 instead for free”. They literally signed him because they knew they can make a fortune off of him. Punk signed there because he is a fan and also knew he can make a fortune there too the word “free” doesn’t apply here.
At the end of the day the guy is 36yrs old, signed a multi fight contract and is without question getting “Brock Lesnar money” which at the end of the day when all is said and done you’re talking a few MILLION per fight (Pay, Sponsers & PPV Points). The world is talking, some good and some bad but the key word is the WORLD is talking! If you’re a Punk lover guess what? You’re going to order his PPV. If you’re a Punk hater guess what? You’re going to order his PPV because love or hate it you want to and WILL watch it.
“What weight class will be be in?” – 205 is out of the question and for you new fans who don’t know just because you walk around at a certain weight doesn’t mean you fight at that. Outside of the Heavyweights very few fighters fight at their natural weight. I saw an interview with Punk where he shot down 205 and stated hes leaning towards Middleweight (185) which is the division once rules by Anderson Silva and currently by Chris Weidman. There is also a chance of him dropping to Welterweight which was once ruled by GSP and now as of last night Robbie Lawler. If it were my opinion I would say Middleweight would suit him better.
“What camp will he join?” – My two favorite camps are Cesar Gracies (Diaz Brothers, Shields, Melendez) and Team Alpha Male (Faber, Mendez, Dillashaw, Benavidez) both in California. My opinion? Team Alpha Male would be the way to go. All of the guys in that camp have absolutely been tearing it up in the cage and look as sharp as sharp can be with hand speed, footwork, take down defense, submissions and everything across the board. I personally would like to see him train there with those guys as I don’t see Punk really hanging out smoking a blunt with the Diaz Brothers
Those are my two cents. Looking forward to his first fight. My guess? June 2015.