During the PPV portion of the UFC 181 broadcast, commentator Joe Rogan announced that Phil “CM Punk” Brooks will join the UFC ranks.
CM Punk signs with the UFC
Punk (0-0) has yet to make his mixed martial arts debut, but has signed a multi-fight deal with the organization and will debut inside the Octagon in 2015.
“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,” Punk said. “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.”
He said to Rogan that he has come here to fight and is still unsure as to which weight class he will fight at, but middleweight and welterweight are his most likely options. His camp that he will call home is yet to be determined.
The former WWE champion has called it quits for professional wrestling and will make MMA his full-time job.
“I felt like it was now or never,” Punk said. “I have a limited window most fighters don’t have. I’m either here to win or get my ass kicked — this is my new career. I’m going to go full steam ahead, all systems go.”
The 36-year-old made his name known inside the ECW ring and went on to become a huge star in the WWE. Punk’s last time inside the WWE ring was at the Royal Rumble in January of this year.
“Luck is for losers,” Punk said to Rogan.
