Former WWE champion CM Punk signs with UFC, debuts in 2015

UFC President Dana White shocked the MMA world when he announced the signing of recently released WWE superstar Phil ‘CM Punk’ Brooks to a long-term contract.

White is happy to give the 36-year-old a chance to showcase his skill-set, but unlike fellow pro wrestler Brock Lesnar, he’s not going to throw Brooks in at the deep end.

“He wanted to fight here. He wanted to give it a shot, so we gave him an opportunity,” White said to ESPN.com. “It’s not like Brock Lesnar. We’re not going to throw the kitchen sink at him. Lesnar had a wrestling background. (CM Punk) is going to fight a guy who is 1-0, 1-1, 2-1; something like that.”

Brooks explained he would have fought anywhere to get his feet wet in MMA: “I would’ve started somewhere if Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta) told me to go pound sand. I would’ve fought somewhere else. This isn’t the UFC. This isn’t about the money. I still enjoy getting paid, but this very much is about the journey, about getting to the first fight, about competing and showing everyone what’s inside of me.”

According to the former WWE champion, he could hold his training camp at American Kickboxing Academy, Roufusport, Team Curran or American Top Team. He was also undecided whether he would fight at 170lb or 185lb.

FO SCORE: Fans will always be skeptical when a professional wrestler tries their hand at MMA, but it’s not like Punk is the first sports entertainer to strap on 4oz gloves. He won’t be the last either. If he trains seriously and faces an opponent with comparable experience, there’s no reason why he can’t win his UFC debut.

Francisco Rivera to appeal UFC 181 submission loss due to eye poke

UFC 135lb’er Francisco Rivera will appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) in an attempt to get his rear naked choke defeat to Urijah Faber changed to a no-contest.

Rivera – who was the biggest underdog at UFC 181 – did exceptionally well against ‘The California Kid’ by landing strikes and stuffing takedowns before he was accidentally struck in the eye. According to his management, Rivera also spoke to UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby about a rematch.

“Everybody is making a big deal about how many (submissions) he has,” Rivera told MMA Fighting. “It sucks for me. It’s not like he dropped me and subbed me. He really, really poked my eye. Accidental or not, what am I supposed to do? Fight with my eyes closed?”

FO SCORE: The NSAC introduced an instant replay rule in 2009 because of fights like this. Many believe the finish happened because of the eye poke, so we wouldn’t be surprised if NSAC ruled it as a no-contest.

Dana White considering Hendricks-Lawler trilogy

New UFC 170lb champion Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks may have one more rematch to complete a trilogy according to UFC president Dana White.

The two welterweights fought each other twice in 2014. Hendricks came out on top of their encounter via decision at UFC 171 before Lawler took the belt from him eight months later. Rory MacDonald was originally penciled in to face the winner of the UFC 181 main event after he finished Tarec Saffiedine with punches in Halifax in October, but White seemed just as interested in ‘Ruthless’ and ‘Bigg Rigg’ fighting for the title one more time.

“I don’t know. The trilogy wouldn’t be a bad idea,” White said. “We’ll see what happens.”

FO SCORE: Although we feel sorry for Rory MacDonald, we wouldn’t complain if Hendricks and Lawler are matched up to go 25 minutes in the Octagon one more time.

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Lewis Long, 9-3

After a dramatic come from behind victory over Steve Dinsdale at Cage Warriors 72, many fans began to have high hopes for British prospect Lewis Long, and he showed that their expectations were warranted when the Welshman destroyed journeyman Matt Inman with ground ‘n’ pound before sinking in a fight-ending rear naked choke at Cage Warriors 73 in Newcastle, UK. With an ever-improving ground game, solid head movement and animated post-fight interviews, Long is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Frankie Perez, 9-1

Ricardo Almeida product Frankie Perez seems to be following in the footsteps of namesake Frankie Edgar by creating a buzz on the New Jersey MMA scene. Beginning his career in Ring of Combat, Perez has submitted five of his eight opponents in the organization with a variety of chokes. His striking is decent, but it’s mostly used to help get the fight to the floor where he actively searches for submission attempts.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov, 8-1

The younger brother of top UFC lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abubakar isn’t quite as polished as his older sibling but he certainly has the potential to become a top 170lb’er. Much like Khabib, he has strong chain wrestling skills and punishing ground ‘n’ pound. His striking is basic and he’s prone to throwing wild haymakers at times, but at just 24 years old he has plenty of time to get better in the striking department.

QUOTES

“The UFC needs to give me my title shot. Benson Henderson lost, Eddie Alvarez lost, Pettis beat Donald Cerrone, Pettis beat Melendez, (and) I beat my last (opponent), Rafael dos Anjos. I am number-one contender right now. My doctor said I can fight in April or May. Let’s go. Anytime, anywhere in April, May or June.”

As if being 22-0 wasn’t enough, Khabib Nurmagomedov continues to state his case for a chance at the lightweight strap.

“UFC sign a fake wrestler, but not an Olympian who is the best WW in the world. Amateur move.”

ONE FC welterweight champ Ben Askren had some choice words when the UFC signed former WWE champion CM Punk.

“In the fourth round, I started slowing down a little bit. But you can’t take nothing away from Robbie. What did I say the whole time? He’s a tough fighter. He’s a guy that you’ve got to put away. I wasn’t able to do that tonight, and the judges gave it to him.”

Former UFC 170lb champion Johny Hendricks gives an honest assessment of his UFC 181 performance.

“What can a young fighter offer to his sponsors, if not the space on their shorts? To help, I am giving space on all my social media, which reaches millions of people. Show your sponsors and I will post it to my friends. That way you can offer a lot more exposure to your sponsors and even get new ones. And I want to ask the other fighters, our icons in the sport, to do the same as me and offer their space to up-and-comers.”

Wanderlei Silva shares his alternative plan for fighters who may lose out on sponsorship money from the UFC’s Reebok deal.

“Fighting has been a part of my life ever since I was 17 and that makes this a hard pill to swallow but it’s time for me to end this chapter and move on to the next part of my life. So thank you again to all the people that have supported me through this, whether it was through cheers, training, coaching or anything else at all.”

Lightweight legend Yves Edwards bids farewell to the sport after a 17 year career.