Even with zero documented proof that he’s ever won an unscripted fight, former WWE champion Phil ‘CM Punk’ Brooks is gearing up for a 2016 UFC debut.
In the second fight of the night this Sunday in Las Vegas, there is a UFC welterweight bout, pitting 1-0 Mickey Gall against 0-0 Michael Jackson.
If you think that sounds like a completely inconsequential fight unworthy of the UFC’s Octagon, you would usually be right. But the stakes are high on the preliminary card bout since Gall is essentially fighting for a lottery ticket.
The 24-year-old New Jersey native has been promised a fight against Brooks – who is best known by his wrestling persona ‘CM Punk’ – if he can beat the mixed martial arts debutant at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this weekend.
Brooks, who is already 37 with significant wear-and-tear on his body after years of abiding by the WWE’s grueling road schedule, has been training in Milwaukee under famed striking coach Duke Rufus since December of 2014.
According to his sparring partners, the six-foot-two former wrestler has made huge gains in an incredibly short window, but the jury is still out on whether or not he could even beat the worst fighter in the UFC, let alone compile a winning record.
It’s an unusual decision for the MMA promotion to hire the Chicago native as a fighter, and one that rightfully opens them up to criticism.
For Brooks, it seems like a dream scenario. The past-his-prime grappler gets the chance to scratch ‘have an MMA fight’ off his bucket list, and do it in front of a humongous worldwide audience.
The UFC, on the other hand, just seem to be preying on the public’s morbid curiosity to see another pro-wrestling champion in a ‘real’ fight.
Sure, herculean WWE heavyweight Brock Lesnar had a great UFC career – capturing the world title during his short stay with the company – but the Lesnar and Brooks cases are so different that it’s almost an apples and oranges comparison.
Lesnar was an outstanding athlete with an All-American wrestling pedigree and an NCAA heavyweight title on his mantle when he decided to test his mettle in the fight business.
Conversely, there is no evidence that Brooks has achieved anything athletically outside of the roped ring – he didn’t play college sports and was never celebrated as a superb athlete by his fellow wrestlers.
The only known story of Brooks in a genuine scuffle took place in 2004 when the 15-year pro wrestling veteran had a short-lived brawl with Teddy Hart, the nephew of Bret Hart who is best known for training his cats to perform in wrestling matches.
According to onlookers, Hart, who had previous boxing training, got the better of the altercation outside of a Nashville Waffle House before they were separated by other wrestlers.
Over a decade later, Brooks is a UFC fighter, and each time he joins a pay-per-view or television lineup his promoter will essentially be in a game of tug-of-war, trying to serve two masters in the same event – part credible sports league, and part circus.
The ‘CM Punk’ ripple effect is shaking up this Sunday’s event as well, with two completely unqualified fighters taking up space on a Las Vegas UFC event just so we can determine an eventual dance partner for the forthcoming fighter.
There really isn’t anything wrong with Brooks aspiring to strap on a pair of fingerless mixed martial arts gloves and compete in an MMA fight, and there are plenty of places he can do that. But the UFC isn’t a place for a rookie who wants to try their luck as a prize fighter.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Understand your point Justin, and despite what Dana White preaches the UFC has promoted a few "freakshow" fights along the way. Couture v Tony springs to mind, Lesnar v Herring was another.... Pretty much anything involving Kimbo Slice or before the introduction of rules probably qualifies too, though the latter was pre-Zuffa. CM Punk is a draw, and by appearances has some athletic talent, being matched up someone with a similarly small amount of experience - it's lucrative for both the promotion and fighter, so in this case I can see an argument for it. And I can see one against it too, i.e. if the UFC is for the best in the world, does it devalue the league to let just anyone who is a household name in? Probably. Is it fatal, in the case of an individual sport like MMA probably not. What is the right decision? I have no idea - but there is certainly a case to be made both ways.
Justin Faux
Expert
I understand your viewpoint Alex, but where is the line? I bet Kim Kardashian fighting in the UFC would be a massive pay-per-view success, should we give her a call?
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Good piece Justin, I enjoyed it and I agree with your assessment of the Lesnar v Punk comparison. However, another way of looking at it might be the benefit to the promotion and this is really a win-win for the UFC. If CM Punk loses, whether that be once or if he gets a second match, the UFC had a (relatively) inexpensive fighter who will be a bigger draw than some champions. If he wins, the show goes on and with each subsequent victory the stakes, the audience and ultimately the UFC's cut gets bigger and for as long as it lasts the promotion rides the gravy train. Is he deserving? No. And do I agree with the UFC being his proving ground? No. But for both promotion and the fighter, at least financially. this a lucrative - indeed the most lucrtive - deal and ultimately that will drive the decision making.
J Lafleur
Roar Rookie
I agree with all your points, and Brooks doesn't deserve a shot in the UFC. That being said from a marketing point of view, wrestling fans' interest will be peaked, particularly because it is the UFC and not a lower league and what better event than UFC 200 to sell to all those eyes? At the end of the day this company is in the business of promotion. James Toney got a shot. The most interesting point you make is what if he wins and wants another fight? Then what, he gets starched by an experienced fighter? I'm watching the event regardless of weather Brooks competes, but I'll be as interested and invested in the outcome, but fear the door it may open up. Celebrities wanting fights? Those Kardashians have tons of Twitter followers.
Imna
Guest
I have been a big CM Punk fan back in the days of his WWE career and still is to date. I've been waiting patiently for Brooks to enter the octagon and just give a hell lot of fight as he always did in WWE (although scripted), even though I'm only guessing he will lose. God knows what the future holds for Punk but I wish him well and I hope he kick ass.
Justin Faux
Expert
Brooks claims to have a background in kenpo, but there really isn't any proof that he's ever done anything in that discipline - not calling him a liar, I'm sure it's true, but there's no documented proof of him entering a tournament or competing in any way. The only thing that we know for sure is that he's trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rener Gracie. And since signing with the UFC he's been training at Roufussport with Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren and others.
Justin Faux
Expert
That's interesting Michael. Out of curiosity, would you drop $50 on pay-per-view to see CM Punk in an MMA fight?
Justin Faux
Expert
Thanks, Pat, you raise a very good point when you say "we'll see if it backfires in the Octagon I suppose." Because that not only applies to his first fight, but also his next one (provided that he wins, and desires to continue fighting). Then UFC matchmaker Joe Silva is really backed into a corner because Brooks fights at welterweight, one of the two most talent-rich weight classes in history. They can't just keep signing fighters with 1-0 records for him to face, but at the same time, I don't know of anyone under UFC employ that I would confidently predict him to beat. It's a real conundrum.
Justin Faux
Expert
Why not? I mean, I'm sure some will say "that's stupid" to suggest CM Punk versus Joe Rogan, but when we're discussing a former pro wrestler with limited training fighting in the world's greatest MMA league, we're already in stupid territory.
Kaks
Roar Guru
"The UFC, on the other hand, just seem to be preying on the public’s morbid curiosity to see another pro-wrestling champion in a ‘real’ fight." They have my curiosity. I am greatly intrigued by Brooks and his fight. I think he will get hammered and go into obscurity which will put more egg on Dana's face, but at the same time I hope he does well because I know for a fact he will be crucified on social media should he get hammered - which is never fun to see anyone go through. As you said, Justin, he is no Lesnar. Lesnar's experience in the ground game at least gave him some legitimacy before he stepped into the octagon. Does Brooks have any background in any of the 'disciplines' of MMA? By this I mean, does he have any Jiu Jitsu background, kick boxing or boxing background etc.? It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Michael
Guest
I really like cm punk and although he has yet to step into the octogon he will draw onlookers like myself and much of the wrestling crowds. The ufc doesn't have to worry about too much because at the end of the day it will be an attraction for a former wrestler taking part in a real live unscripted fight, Something that is a little bit unusual but curious to see.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Good piece Justin. I used to watch a bit of CM Punk back in the day, and I can't say he looks as fearsome an athlete as someone like Brock Lesnar. It's good for the UFC in that he has a huge profile and twitter following, but other fighters will be looking on and feel pretty pissed about not getting pushed as hard because they weren't in the WWE. We'll see if it all backfires in the octagon I suppose.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
For fear of turning the UFC into a carnie league I'd say no to these but my own curiousness would suggest CM Punk be thrown in against Joe Rogan or a fellow debut with a battle weary body and age Matt Cooper from the NRL