UFC Rumors: Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian Worried about CM Punk in the UFC
Several eyebrows were raised when former WWE star CM Punk signed with the UFC over a year ago, with many fellow fighters and MMA pundits agreeing that he is not fit to a sport that differs in so many ways to his original discipline.
But the UFC was quick to brush off criticism and told everyone that he's going to be very competitive in his debut fight. However, fast-forward to today, the 37-year-old professional wrestler still couldn't find an opponent for his debut.
His real name is Phil Brooks and the name he's using right now is what makes him recognizable among casual and hardcore mixed martial arts fans. He was slated to make his debut this year but that didn't push through when he suffered a shoulder injury back in July. Dana White assured Punk's fans that he'll definitely fight next year — the same thing he said when the guy signed with the promotion a year ago.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Now there are two key figures in MMA who can't help but air their concerns about Punk's fate in the UFC.
According to UFC Tonight hosts Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian, the delays in Punk's debut might be attributed to the fact that he hasn't developed into a fighter White thought he would be.
"As time is passing, it starts to lose some of the intrigue. I think iron was hot when he first walked out on the WWE and that's when he would have made the biggest impression," Cormier said. As for Florian, he is concerned because Punk should have fought in 2015 already. "This is what really concerns me because they said he was going to fight in 2015… that he needs some time to train. Well, that hasn't happened," he said.
His coach, Duke Roufus, mentioned that his fighter is going to be ready for any competitive matchup in the UFC by late spring 2016.
The manner of which CM Punk left the WWE was quite dramatic and colorful at the same time. He did it on Dec. 6, 2014, when he announced that he was leaving the professional wrestling industry to carve out a new career in mixed martial arts. It was later revealed that he indeed already signed a multi-fight contract with White and the UFC. He immediately hooked up with Duke Roufus' team, prompting fans and observers that he will make his debut in the UFC sooner than expected.
However, that didn't happen. We're still waiting for it, though.
