The Evolution of Punk which has aired on Fox Sports 1 in the US, then on UFC Fight Pass before finally going viral on the promotion’s YouTube channel, has been met with lukewarm reception when it comes to CM Punk’s sparring and in general, his skill set. Filmed over the course of the last 18 months, the series showcases CM Punk’s journey from pro wrestler to mixed martial artist as he heads towards a showdown with Mickey Gall at UFC 203 this Saturday night. Punk asks viewers to take what you’ve seen in the show with a pinch of salt.
“It’s a correct depiction of where I was at when it was shot, three back surgeries, walking round with a herniated disk, 15% power in my left leg,” says Punk. “It’d be like me watching one of Mickey’s fights and expecting to fight that guy. Mickey trains his ass off and he trains with a good team. He’s not going to be the same guy he was in his last fight just like I’m not going to be the same guy you saw on the television show.”
Coming into the UFC as one of the biggest draws for the WWE in recent years, CM Punk says he’s not going to try and ‘sell’ anyone on his fight with Gall, claiming people have already made their minds up on this one.
“People either love me or hate me already,” says Punk. “I’m not trying to talk anybody into the building on this one. I think the allure is just the fact that it’s happening. The story writes itself. It’s not a fabricated thing where I need to create some drama between me and Mickey. We’re going to fight. That’s the beauty of it. It doesn’t need to be a weird, verbal pissing contest.”
Although known from having some experience with BJJ having worked with Rener Gracie whilst working for the WWE, Punk feels his key to victory will be in the standup department but promises a show regardless of his method.
“I see my hand getting raised and I’m not really one for making predictions,” says Punk. “I definitely see myself winning, and if I had to pick, I’d pick TKO. I want to show out. I want to show up. I want to beat Mickey. I don’t really give a f**k how I do it.”
