CM Punk News: Ex-WWE Superstar Kurt Angle Unsure About Punk's Chances In The UFC
Former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Kurt Angle shared his thoughts on the much-anticipated UFC debut of former professional wrestler turned mixed martial arts fighter CM Punk.
Punk (Phil Brooks in real life) was made officially part of the UFC roster in late 2014, wherein the announcement was made in the middle of the pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 181 on December 6.
Upon choosing to be part of the Roufusport Academy and training under renowned coach Duke Roufus, along with former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren, Punk's debut was slated for late 2015.
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However, an injury he sustained in October forced Roufus to push back his fighter's maiden Octagon appearance.
The UFC's decision to sign the 37-year-old Punk, despite him having zero experience in mixed martial arts, has garnered mostly negative reactions from fans and fighters alike. Recently, Angle spoke about how he felt Punk would do in the Octagon in an interview with UK media outlet Digital Spy.
The Total Nonstop Wrestling talent first noted how he thinks Punk would do in the Octagon. While he gave an answer filled with uncertainty, he did concede to the idea that Punk would definitely be a draw, both to UFC fans and the WWE audience who are curious about how he does with his transition.
Angle also noted that while Punk has deemed himself in top shape, the grind every professional wrestler goes through is no laughing matter.
"I wouldn't say he is a young 37, I think that he's a beat-up 37, but he has been able to take the year off – that's going to help," Angle said, according to Digital Spy.
Just like everyone else, Angle has absolutely no idea how Punk would be able to make the jump from sports entertainment to actual prizefighting. This is where he believes things would be different.
"I know he's training, but I don't know how good he is as a fighter," Angle said. "He's a great pro-wrestler, but fighting is a different story."
