Credit: Sean Ross Sapp
CM Punk’s MMA coach Duke Roufus appeared on today’s edition of The MMA Hour, where he was interviewed by Ariel Helwani. He had glowing reviews of former WWE Champion CM Punk’s performance in MMA practice.
“He’s putting his work in, he shows up every day,” Roufus said on the show. “He has a great attitude. He didn’t become successful by accident. It’s because he was a worker and he was a value to the organization, not only as a face, but in who he is. People get behind people that are easy to work with, and he’s so easy to work with.”
Roufus also trains UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, who will compete this weekend against challenger Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185. CM Punk will be walking Pettis to the cage for the event. Punk’s teammate and Anthony’s brother Sergio also will be competing on the card.
Roufus said that Punk is adapting to striking more and more, and isn’t afraid of getting hit.
“He came in with Gracie jiu-jitsu. The natural thing he’s good at is striking. He’s a natural striker. When he did a scrimmage last week, he was pretty comfortable in the fire. He didn’t freak out, he didn’t panic. That’s what I’m looking for in new fighters. You can teach skill, but you can’t teach will. Are they going to run and break during a fight, or are they going to get in there and survive the fire? That’s what I was impressed with. I think in time, his skills are going to advance, but if he has the mindset and the will, he’s going to do great,” said Roufus.
Even though Roufus is optimistic about Punk’s progression, he’s not prepared to tout Punk as future champion.
“I don’t know if he’s going to be a champion or a contender, but a lot of guys in the UFC aren’t champions or contenders, but they’re popular,” Roufus said.
No debut date has been set for CM Punk in the UFC thus far.
