Jim Ross worked closely with CM Punk during their time together in the WWE.
Now, Punk – real name Phil Brooks – will make his long-awaited Octagon debut later this summer at UFC 203 vs. Mickey Gall.
A series of injuries have kept Punk from fighting since he signed with the UFC in 2014, but he continues to train at Roufusport in Milwaukee.
Ross, a long-time fan of combat sports who continues to call action to this day, talked about Punk’s first fight during a recent appearance on “Submission Radio.”
“I think one of the great things about UFC signing CM Punk is that they have no expectations as to what to expect. I don’t know how the fans, any fan, can have any bonafide or legitimate expectations, because we just don’t know. It’s totally foreign. It’s a whole new world, new pitch. It’s a new game for CM Punk,” he said. “I know he’s very cerebral. I know he’s a big fan of the genre. I know he’s worked hard. He’s a very, very smart guy – driven, if you will. He doesn’t even know how he’s going to do. So I think that the unknown is what’s going to sell that fight. Don’t doubt for a minute that the UFC or the WWE fans are gonna wanna buy a UFC event, cause we’re just too curious. We have no idea what’s going to happen.
“Is Punk going to get knocked out in the first minute? Is he going to get bloodied up and beat half to death? Cause we know that he won’t quit readily. Or is he gonna come in and shock the world and be a world-beater and a kickass MMA guy? I don’t know. All I know is that he’s going to be mentally and physically ready. I will certainly buy the fight, because I’m as curious as the next fan. What the heck’s gonna happen?”
