UFC: Former WWE Superstar CM Punk Speaks Up About His Shoulder Injury
Former WWE Superstar Phil "CM Punk" Brooks shocked the MMA world when he signed with the UFC in 2014, per Associated Press. At the time of his announcement, he has no amateur wrestling background but he revealed he has a background in Kempo and has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under master Rener Gracie, with plans of his debut set at the end of 2015.
His coach Duke Roufus revealed in an interview with ESPN that Brooks suffered a shoulder injury during his training that could push back his debut in 2016. Roufus said that the team is looking to prepare him to fight in the next six to 10 months.
The head of Roufusport Academy in Milwaukee added that it would be perfect for Punk to make his debut at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas. "I gave up managing fighters, but I understand the promotion business. I think it's smart business. I was at UFC 100 in 2009 when Brock Lesnar was showcased, and I saw the impact of that," Roufus told ESPN.
The 36-year-old five-time WWE World Champion recently appeared on The MMA Hour and talked about his shoulder injury for the very first time. Punk revealed how he injured his shoulder during sparring in August at Roufusport.
"It was one of those pops where everybody in the room just turns and looks," Punk said as quoted by MMA Fighting. They were on the ground when he posted off his elbow, putting too much of his body weight on it that led to his shoulder popping out of its socket.
An MRI on the shoulder showed that there was no tear on the labrum or rotator cuff of the Chicago-native, who was relieved that he "dodged a bullet." He is now waiting for clearance from doctors to resume light exercises and slowly get back into full-time training.
Punk also said that most of the pain on his shoulder is gone and he tries to bike 20 miles per day and do a lot of jumping rope just to stay in shape. Many fans and fellow MMA fighters have criticized the former WWE champion and they think that he'll never fight for the UFC.
"I don't get paid unless I fight. Why the hell wouldn't I fight? So I can get paid," Punk firing back on his critics via MMA Fighting. As for his MMA skills, he believes that his striking has improved and ready, but there are some nerves on his part in terms of grappling.
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