INQUISITR.COM / Sports

CM Punk: The UFC Publicity Stunt That Went Nowhere

By Toni Matthews
Published on: 01:32 PST, May 20, 2016

CM Punk is quickly becoming the walking definition of, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Punk, whose real name is Phillip Jack “Phil” Brooks, made the much-hyped move from the WWE to the UFC in December 2014. In fact, his new bosses went to great lengths to find a somewhat equally new fighter suitable for Punk’s lack of inexperience (Read: Someone who wouldn’t embarrass him outright).

Enter Mickey Gall.

With an opponent locked in, it seemed the only thing left for CM Punk was to debut. Unfortunately, that’s proved to be far more challenging than anticipated; at least, if you’re a bright-eyed optimist.

Some of fans viewed the CM Punk publicity stunt with a significant amount of skepticism from the beginning. To be blunt, there was just no getting around Punk’s age and lack of experience upon joining the UFC. It wouldn’t be a problem if we were discussing a seasoned fighter. For example, Bloody Elbow reports that 39-year-old Floyd Mayweather is offering $50 million for a fight with MMA fighter Conor McGregor.

Floyd is an undefeated champion boxer with more than two decades of fight experience. He can get away with this kind of publicity fodder because he has the experience — and success — to back up his antics.

The CM Punk “experiment” hinged largely on the idea that Punk’s wrestling experience would somehow translate into a promising MMA career. That simply hasn’t happened. According to reports by Wrestling Inc. and Wrestle Zone(via Wresting Observer Newsletter), rumors are circulating that Punk’s made little to no progress in his sparring sessions.

From Wrestling Zone:

“WON is reporting that CM Punk is not progressing well as a fighter. Punk’s original fight date was pushed back because of back and shoulder injuries. His first scheduled opponent is Mickey Gall. It is, reportedly, expected that Gall will “run through” Punk whenever they do fight. So far in his short career, Gall is 2-0. The rumors WON is hearing is that Punk has not fared well live sparring.

“The concerns with Punk’s progression have grown because it has taken him so long. Cain Velazquez had the same surgery as Punk a few weeks earlier and is on the UFC 200 card.”

That’s extremely worrying. At 33, Velazquez is only 4 years younger than Punk. That he’s recovered more quickly, however, suggests that he’s a healthier fighter. It also suggests that time in the WWE has taken a greater toll on CM Punk’s body than what was previously acknowledged.

Forbes contributor Alfred Konuwa believes it would be best if CM Punk simply retired altogether.

“Though he’ll be the last person to admit it, it’s time for CM Punk to retire from active competition. And though a potential retirement will spark inevitable rumors of a WWE in-ring return, he’ll be best served staying away from any form of competitive sport.”

It’s hard to argue against what Konuwa is saying. It’s unfortunate that Punk didn’t make the leap to MMA fighting when he was still healthy enough to feasibly make it happen. However, MMA isn’t the type of competitive sport that one jumps into at the later stages of one’s athletic career. Certainly not with a lack of experience and a body riddled with life-long injuries.

The UFC should cut its losses and consider the CM Punk “experiment” a failure. It’s an egg-on-face moment, but better a little shame than an utterly disastrous debut that puts Punk’s life in jeopardy. There’s no shame in being willing to face reality.

The reality? CM Punk has a determined, willing spirit but his body is weak.

Do you think CM Punk should continue working toward a UFC debut, head back to the WWE, or simply retire? Share your thoughts below!

[AP Photo/Evan Agostini]

Share this article: CM Punk: The UFC Publicity Stunt That Went Nowhere
ufc cm punk
More from Inquisitr