Source: PWInsider, F4WOnline
As noted, CM Punk revealed at UFC 181 tonight that he has signed with the company. He has signed a multi-fight deal.
While UFC President Dana White mentioned that he and Punk would be talking this weekend at UFC 181, PWInsider reports that the two have been talking for some time and a deal was in the works before this weekend.
Punk noted during UFC 181 that he will be figuring out a training camp soon and has made several inquiries already. He will speak more about coming to UFC on the FOX Sports 1 post-show tonight.
As noted, Punk will be fighting at middleweight or welterweight. UFC’s Michael Bisping, who is a middleweight, tweeted the following tonight about Punk: “I see @cmpunk wants to kick ass, well he can kiss my ass! Welcome to the Ufc, let’s do this! ”
UFC.com has an article up on CM Punk signing with the company and more comments from his appearance at UFC 181. Video has been added above. They are billing him as Phil “CM Punk” Brooks.
Below are some more quotes:
“My professional wrestling days are over, it’s awesome to be here. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
“I have a background in kempo and I’ve been doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a long time. This is my new career, 100-percent. I’m going to go full steam ahead, all systems go after today, and it’s going to be fun. I have nothing but respect for everybody here at the UFC, everybody who steps in the Octagon to fight. And when it’s all said and done, when I’m finished, everybody’s going to have to respect me because I have come here to fight.”
“I felt like it was now or never. I have a limited window most fighters don’t have. I’m either here to win or get my ass kicked.”
—————————————-
Source: ESPN
– ESPN has an article up on CM Punk signing with UFC. UFC President Dana White confirmed that Punk is looking to fight at middleweight (185 pounds) but said he’s open to 170 pounds also.
White said it could take six or seven months before Punk steps inside The Octagon. White said:
“He wanted to fight here. He wanted to give it a shot, so we gave him an opportunity. It’s not like Brock Lesnar. We’re not going to throw the kitchen sink at him. Lesnar had a wrestling background. (CM Punk) going to fight a guy who is 1-0, 1-1, 2-1 — something like that. He’s been coming to fights for a long time and after his WWE contract was up, he called me and said he wanted to give it a shot. I said, ‘All right. We’ll give you a shot.'”
We noted before that Michael Bisping has already called Punk out on Twitter. Here are other Twitter reactions from UFC stars:
Ronda Rousey: “WHA?!?!?! @CMPunk!!?!!!!?!! #cantwait”
Nate Diaz: “@ufc @CMPunk Why?”
——————————————–
Despite two major UFC title fights at UFC 181, the biggest story to emerge from the event was the signing of former WWE Champion CM Punk. Throughout the evening, several pro wrestlers, fighters, and personalities shared their thoughts about the huge transaction.
When asked at the post fight press conference about Punk, bantamweight star Urijah Faber said “Props to the guy for putting his best foot forward, maybe he’s gonna be the champ.” Faber also said he was a big fan of Punk.
WWE superstars have been tight lipped on the matter thus far, but fighters and personalities outside of the company have commented about the move.
UFC fighter Ike Vallie-Flagg offered to “do the job” for CM Punk, tweeting “Hey @CMPunk if you need an easy first fight in the UFC at whatever weight I’m your huckleberry”
——————————————–
WWE Diva AJ Lee posted the following tonight about her husband CM Punk signing with UFC: “I am the proudest wife in the world.”
