Former WWE-Superstar-turned-UFC-Fighter CM Punk has set the internet on fire for the last number of weeks. First, it was his major podcasts with Colt Cabana. Then, he signed with UFC, making everyone who is anyone talk about CM Punk. Clearly Punk knows how to work the internet as well as anyone. However, his dream of MMA fighting might be on delay.
According to FOX Sports , CM Punk could have trouble getting his MMA licensing for UFC.
The New Jersey and Nevana State Athletic Commissions are the ones who help to license UFC stars. In order to work in the United States, you have to have a license from everywhere of note whenever you fight there. UFC goes all over the country, but Las Vegas and New York/New Jersey are a major UFC territories. That said, the New Jersey and Nevada State Athletic Commissions holds a lot of power in the UFC world.
New Jersey Athletic Commission head Larry Hazzard told FOX:
“We would really have to look at this very closely. We would have to take a close look at it. Normally, we require some type of background as either an amateur or a professional. This would certainly raise a red flag.”
NSAC executive director Bob Bennett also spoke out regarding CM Punk and his licensing as well, saying:
“I would say that it would behoove him to get some amateur fights. Get some amateur fights and get some experience.”
Basically, the commissions are having issues with the fact that CM Punk doesn’t have much experience. Yes, CM Punk has trained in BJJ and Kempo, as well as wrestling. However, Punk has never fought before. He hasn’t even had a competition under BJJ to add to his credit. So why would any commission give him a license? UFC requires all fighters to have the proper licensing.
Pro-Wrestlers had to have licenses as well, so this is nothing new for CM Punk . However, with the lack of any experience, it is tough for the commission.
Some may claim that then-former WWE star Brock Lesnar didn’t have much experience before he got his licensing for UFC. The major thing Lesnar had was at least one MMA fight. He also was a former NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. So the commission saw experience that could work out. He would be given any license if he ever wanted to go back now as well.
CM Punk is another story. He has been in the pro-wrestling world for so long that he has missed out on getting a lot of MMA related experience. Just having training in these areas will not help. This means Punk could end up having an amateur fight as suggested only for licensing purposes. Otherwise, he’d have to be an exception to the UFC rule, which would not settle well with any fighter.
Of course, if CM Punk fought under the UFC banner outside of American borders , a license isn’t as big of a deal and he would have at least one fight in order to get a license. There is a thought that you could call Punk a “special attraction” and some sort of commission will sign off on him fighting in America however. Hopefully CM Punk can get the license issue taken care of and fight for the UFC soon.
[IMG Credits: UFC.com, MMAFighting.com]