RE: Why It Was Stupid to Allow CM Punk to Fight in the UFC
While it might sound stupid to you, it actually isn't.
The only reason to promote someone like CM Punk to the UFC is a cash grab. Sales would have been up as people around the world tuned in to see how this fake wrestler does against a real martial artist. However, I really don't see the point.
UFC is a money-making machine, looking at things from a fan's perspective you don't see the bigger picture that is more eyes on MMA sport the better.
Why would you let CM Punk lose a fight in some smaller promotion?
It loses all the magic and UFC would never sign him afterward.
The guy had a few years to train and he doesn't suck at all, he probably beats mine and your ass together but is not and never will be a world-class fighter.
Can't wait to read your "Bieber VS Cruz" post as Dana said he's down to make that fight in the UFC ;)
Well, that's the point isn't it? It's a good idea from a money-making perspective, but from the angle of actually wanting MMA to not become a bit of a joke, it's terrible.
The only thing I can do is vote with my wallet, sadly. I certainly wouldn't buy the PPV for Bieber!
The thing is, we've already seen that it doesn't work. CM Punk was smashed to bits twice. There was very little entertainment there unless you don't like the guy and want to see a trained MMA fighter hurt him. Bieber would be even worse. I doubt he'd last 30 seconds.
Why because the guy decided to try MMA at 35 or whatever he was at that point? I give him props for having the balls. Or because he comes from WWE (btw i don't watch that sh*t)?
Let me remind you of Brock Lesnar who was UFCs biggest PPV star at one point came from WWE.
Jack Swagger is another WWE guy who transitioned to MMA and is killing cans in bellator.
Greg Hardy for instance (altho he had a few fights before signing with the UFC) is "old" for the standards of this sport, but is killing people right now.
The deal with CM was, Dana wanted to put him on the Ultimate Fighter first but he declined. Of course, the UFC still wanted to gamble on the outcomes that CM might become a new star or will get demolished as you said in your post but I in no shape or form see it as a bad move for MMA.
Yeah Bieber was then called out by Steve-O, we will see what happens :)
https://steemit.com/meme/@kid4life/the-rise-and-fall-of-cm-punk--your-welcome-phil-funny-memes-must-watch-material
I did make this for Phil a while ago talking shi*t as well haha
Nah, that's not it at all. I think it's great he wanted to try it. My issue is that UFC is the pinnacle of MMA. People spend most of their lives training and grinding away for the chance to even get to an undercard of UFC.
With CM Punk, his celebrity status meant he didn't have to put in the work that everyone else did. That was my problem with it. That's why I think if he was genuinely serious about wanting to try MMA, he could have done it at a lower level first.
There was no requirement for him to have any form of quality to his martial arts skills and it really showed.
Let's say I want to play football professionally. I'd have to work my way up through the lower levels for years before I got a shot at playing in the Premier League. Do you think a celebrity could decide to play in the Premier League with no footballing history? I severely doubt it.
That's why it's a cash grab on behalf of the UFC. Now, I understand why they did it. I also sympathise with your argument that it's good to get people watching. However, to my detriment, I am probably an MMA purist. I love the sport and don't care about who is fighting as long as it's top level. This just didn't match up with why I watch it.
There was no chance at all that CM Punk would have become a star. The UFC is filled with the world's most elite MMA fighters. He just didn't have the required skillset as he'd never trained as an MMA fighter. Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was naturally gifted, a year of training isn't enough to compete at that level.
P.S, thanks for interacting like this. It's exactly what I'd hoped this platform could provide!
I definitely agree he had an easier path than other people trying to make bank in the UFC. No doubt about it.
Of course, not. Usain Bolt has some skills from what I heard but can't get even near a solid club even if he wanted to. But, MMA/fighting, in general, is not like any other sport at the moment. While I can't see anyone becoming a world-class football player in a matter of a few years with no background what so ever, there are a ton of cases like that in MMA.
Duke" Roufus is a former kickboxer and head coach of the Roufusport where Tyron Woodley, the Pettis brothers and a ton of other people train at.
CM put a lot of work in before his fight, 2 years and some change. Duke said he never saw a guy so committed to something like this and I believe him. The fact is CM, is not naturally talented to be a fighter. He is stiff, no movement in his legs like you see pros do it. I think he would need a few more years before becoming a solid fighter (not UFC level probably).
Yeah my pleasure man. Happy to see we are all getting along here at #sportstalksocial. Enjoy your day!