UFC
CM Punk says he won't be upset at all if UFC debut gets pushed to 2016
Jun 15, 2015 - 11:15:31 PM CM Punk says he won't be upset at all if UFC debut gets pushed to 2016

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"I'm super OK with it if my accountant is. I know Duke has told me, and I think he's been public with it, that he would like a full 12 months before he signed off on me fighting. I've had zero talks with Dana [White] or Lorenzo [Fertitta] or Joe Silva – anybody – about an opponent, about a date. I'm thankful for that because there's zero pressure on that, too. I think a lot of people are antsy. They're saying on Twitter, 'Ah, you're never going to fight.' This was just announced in what? November? December? I've been training full-time for like six months. As bad as I have the itch to get in there, like I said, I want to be as prepared as I possibly can be. I wouldn't be upset if it got pushed into 2016.

I'm also looking at the big picture; this isn't a one-and-done thing for me. I'm not looking to fight just once, win, lose or draw. This is something I'm training for, and I feel like it would be a super waste of time if I was just training for one fight or anything like that, if I wasn't just making a career out of it. Getting beat up in the gym every day wouldn't be worth it in the big picture. I'm not saying I'm going to make a title run or anything like that, but I'm also – I'm looking to maximize my time here. If I wind up fighting in 2016, I'm not going to be upset about it."

-CM Punk talks to Jon Anik and Kenny Florian on their podcast about why he's fine if his UFC debut doesn't come until next year (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com.

Penick's Analysis: There's absolutely no reason whatsoever to rush his debut. He's putting in as much work as he can so that when he does step in the cage, he's worthy of the spot. Even for those who think he's in over his head, or those who are negative about him making the attempt, have to respect the way he's handling things and the work ethic he's shown. We'll see if that amounts to anything whenever it finally happens, but the more work he puts in the better it'll be for him and the UFC.