CM Punk dropped yet another pipe-bomb this week after announcing that he had signed with mixed martial arts (MMA) company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) over the weekend.

"This is my new career, 100 percent," said CM Punk in a statement made during the UFC 181 telecast. "I'm going to go full steam ahead, all systems go after today, and it's going to be fun."

Punk, who has no combat sport experience other than some limited practice in kempo karate and a few years training under members of the famous Gracie family -- particularly with Rener Gracie -- wanted to give the sport a try as a hobby after his contract with the WWE had expired. Once Punk and the WWE came to terms in regards to his contract situation, Punk and the UFC began negotiations in October about joining the company, with the official announcement originally slated during the "The Time Is Now" UFC press conference last month. UFC held off on making things official last month because Punk's deal not being finalized yet.

Considering his lack of experience coming into the sport with an 0-0 record even as an amateur, UFC president Dana White plans to ease CM Punk into the sport.

"He wanted to fight here," said White to ESPN.com. "He wanted to give it a shot, so we gave him an opportunity. It's not like Brock Lesnar. We're not going to throw the kitchen sink at him. Lesnar had a wrestling background. [CM Punk] is going to fight a guy who is 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, something like that."

Due to age, Punk has a small window in which he would have had the opportunity to get to compete in The Octagon. At 36 years old, Punk is getting up there in age so getting started in his new career needed to happen sooner rather than later. He will likely not fight until 2015 with his weight class yet to be determined, though White believes he will fight in the middleweight (185 lbs) division.

"My professional wrestling days are over, it's awesome to be here," said Punk. "This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I felt like it was now or never. I have a limited window most fighters don't have. I'm either here to win or get my ass kicked."

Punk will likely make his debut in 2015, possibly middle of the year.

"He can either fight or he can't," said White.

The WWE wished Punk well in his new career saying, "WWE wishes Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) the best of luck in his newest endeavor," on their website.

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In other WWE news, rumors are circulating that The Undertaker may compete at WrestleMania 31 after the use of his likeness was used in promotional material for the 2015 event. Speculation is that The Undertaker will likely battle Sting, who has never competed in a WWE ring, at "The Showcase of the Immortals" in April. "Busted Open Radio" reports that Sting signed a six-appearance deal with WWE, with five appearances left after his debut at Survivor Series, when he cost Triple H control of the company interfering on behalf of Team Cena and bailing Dolph Ziggler out of a jam.

Rey Mysterio may also be returning to action, as well, despite rumors that he would be headed to Mexico's Lucha Libre AAA or Lucha Underground once his WWE contract expired. WWE seemed ready to extend Mysterio's contract without his consent, considering that the company feels that Mysterio owes them dates after missing considerable time with injuries. Mysterio will not only be in-ring talent, possibly on a limited basis, but will also be used as an "ambassador" for the company as they continue their outreach to Latino fans, doing promotional work for the company to help expand their Hispanic market.

In NXT news, the card is set for the live NXT Takeover: R Evolution broadcast this Thursday, airing on the WWE Network. NXT Champion Adrian Neville will be headlining the card defending his title against Sami Zayn, with the stipulation that if Zayn loses, he must leave NXT. NXT Divas Champion Charlotte puts her title on the line against Sasha Banks while The Vaudevillians challenge NXT Tag Team Champions The Lucha Dragons for their titles. Former NXT Tag Team Champions, The Ascension, face Hideo Itami & Finn Balor while Kevin Owens (formerly Ring of Honor Champion Kevin Steen) makes his debut with his company.

NXT's recruitment of indy star Uhaa Nation, who is deemed a "high priority" by the WWE, may have hit a snag after Gabe Sapolsky revealed that Nation is still under contract with WWN and has yet to sign a deal with the WWE. The issue may be temporary as Sapolsky is known to encourage talent to sign with WWE and is supportive of Nation's move to NXT. The WWE is also looking at Tessa Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall Of Famer and original Four Horsemen member Tully Blanchard, the former who recently got a tryout over the weekend as they look to expand their Divas division.

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