Former WWE star CM Punk (otherwise known as Phillip Brooks) hasn’t had his move to the UFC go too smoothly so far, losing his first fight (at UFC 203 in 2016) just 2:14 in and then losing his second fight (at UFC 225 Saturday night) in a unanimous decision after three rounds (scored 30-26 by all three judges), a fight that also saw Punk sent to the hospital for a CT scan afterwards. And his victorious opponent, Mike “The Truth” Jackson, didn’t exactly have inspiring words for Punk afterwards when asked what advice he’d give him.
Following his win at #UFC 225, Mike Jackson (@TheTruthJackson) has some words of advice for CM Punk: "Stop…you're putting your health at risk" pic.twitter.com/CSSKj65G4v
— SI Ringside (@SI_Ringside) June 10, 2018
“Stop! That’s what I would tell him, stop. I don’t, it’s not a disrespectful thing, but this is a sport where your life is on the line, you know. And I get it and I respect him 100 percent for being willing to step in there, but you’re just putting yourself at risk. I mean, I sent him to the hospital, know what I’m saying? And I’m not top-tier level, I know what it is with me and my skills. Can I compete with some guys in the UFC? Of course I can. But as far as trying to continue with the sport, I highly advise against it, just for safety.”
Those are some harsh criticisms, especially from a guy who only has two professional MMA appearances himself (he has boxed and kickboxed professionally, however). And a whole lot of other fighters weren’t impressed with Punk’s showing either. Or with Jackson’s, for that matter.
This fight is embarrassing I just don't get it, why will you put this on PPV #ufc226
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) June 10, 2018
Well at least @CMPunk is earning all that $ … thanks for coming out.
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) June 10, 2018
Can you cut both fighters…?!!?😂😂#UFC225
— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) June 10, 2018
I think we just saw the most tragic fight in the UFC history. #UFC225 #CMPunk
— Viktor Pesta (@ViktorPesta) June 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/DannyHenryMMA/status/1005642313136209922
That was a horrible fight. I never thought I’d see two 0-1 fighters in the UFC and on the main card to boot. 🙈
— Chuck Liddell 🥶 (@ChuckLiddell) June 10, 2018
Yeah, those aren’t exactly rave reviews. And for the 39-year-old Punk in particular, you have to wonder if there will be another UFC opportunity. Two losses are bad enough in their own right, but he hasn’t looked particularly good in either, or like he belongs in the octagon. And these criticisms from his opponent in particular are notable; yes, there’s always trash talk after a fight, but this goes beyond the typical. We’ll see what’s next for Punk after this, but his UFC career certainly doesn’t look promising right now.
[SI MMA on Twitter]
