The first opponent for former professional wrestler CM Punk, a.k.a. Phil Brooks, has yet to be revealed, and many in the MMA world are wondering just what level this opponent will be on.
Punk, who has since signed a deal with the UFC, is expected to have his first fight sometime in late 2015, and while he is training at the Roufusport Martial Arts Academy, he doesn't have any experience from competing in MMA, according to Bloody Elbow. Despite this, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said in an interview with ESPN that Punk's first opponent won't be a slouch.
"I think it has to be somebody with some level of credentials," Fertitta said. "It's not just going to be some guy off the street. It's going to be somebody who is a professional mixed martial artist- certainly somebody who MMA media will recognize and know."
While some believe Brooks will face an MMA veteran, Fertitta said it will "most likely" be an up-and-comer, MMA Fighting reported.
"But I'm going to defer to Joe Silva," he said. "We'll let him bring two or three names to the table and we'll figure it out from there. But I guarantee you it will be a competitive guy."
Fertitta is also aware of the disapproval many have of signing a 36-year-old man with the lack of fighting experience Punk has, saying that UFC did research on Punk and spoke to people he trained with, MMA Fighting reported.
"We're going to find out what he can bring to the table," he added. "We're confident he has the skills to fight."
The weight class that Punk will compete in has also yet to be determined, according to Fertitta.
"Sometimes, you've got to invest in what we call 'fighter development'," he said. "We've done it before and guys have developed into very competitive fighters, and we've done it where guys have not."
