UFC Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock was interviewed by the folks at Submission Radio and spoke in-depth about CM Punk transitioning from WWE to UFC.
Below are highlights from the interview, which you can listen to via the YouTube player embedded above.
On CM Punk’s decision to sign with the UFC: “I think it’s great, I mean especially if he’s got the ability. He sounds like he’s got a great wrestling background, a really good wrestling background, and a guy like that – don’t give him a guy that’s a top 10 fighter. That’s not fair, but if they’ll give him a guy that’s got 1-0 as a pro, or 1-1 as a pro, and start him out right like they should have done with Brock Lesnar – They should have probably gotten him [Lesnar] guys that didn’t have 15 fights, and that weren’t an ex-world champion for him to fight on his first, or second, or third fight – and groom this guy. I think it’s tremendous. I mean a lot of guys are complaining “why is he in there?” this and that. Listen, I wouldn’t be complaining about why he’s in there, I’d be fighting my tail off to get on the undercard or to fight him. So some of these guys that are complaining out there, it’s like you guys are really not looking at the big picture here. It’s about dollars and cents! If he can put people in the seats and build this business to a bigger model, and be able to put more money into your pockets on the card, why are you getting mad about that? You should be wanting to be on that card. So I think it’s a great move on the UFC’s part and we will see if it’s a great move on his part.”
On whether or not Punk can pick up the skills it takes to be an MMA fighter at age 36: “If I was training him, I would put my reputation on it. Especially if he’s getting the right fighter, somebody of his calibre that doesn’t have five fights or ten fights as a pro. If you’re going to give him somebody that’s around his calibre 1-0, 2-1, something where it’s reasonable. Especially with what I know about his background and what he’s done before he became a pro wrestler, with his collegiate career and stuff like that – I would put my reputation on it that I could get this guy to win his first fight. Just because I’ve done it through my whole career. I know how to take guys, I know how to mould them and I know how to beat the specific guy, especially when they don’t have that much experience.”
On if he would be interested in training Punk: “I would take that in a heartbeat, because I just know what I could do with him. I know exactly what it would take for him to get a win.”
On if Punk will stay in MMA or return to WWE: “I think if he brings the right people in; and I wouldn’t suggest him trying to make a long career of the UFC, at least not right now. Not until you get a couple of fights under your belt and see where you’re at. Especially at your age. But what I can see is for him to get a couple of fights under his belt, get those wins, and then his career in pro wrestling would sky rocket. But his thing is [that] he’s got a lot of people around him right now that think they know what they’re doing with him – and they may – but from what I’m hearing, they’re trying to teach him a lot of stuff. And you know I’m not going to give away my secrets, but if he brings in the right people this guy could really sky rocket his career in pro wrestling. And if chooses to move on, then he could go for one big pay day and take the shot, and then he could step away. But you’re [CM Punk] not going to have a long, long drive at this, because one) you’re starting out at such a, you know older age, but you can make an impact in a short amount of time. And like I said, right now in his career where he’s at right now, his biggest decision right now is making the right decision on who to bring in. That’s the biggest decision right now.”
OTHER CM PUNK LINKS:
– Chael Sonnen Says CM Punk’s First UFC Opponent Is A Known Name
– VIDEO: In-Depth, 20 Minute Backstage Interview With CM Punk Covering Everything
– VIDEO: CM Punk Makes UFC Signing Announcement With Joe Rogan
– VIDEO: CM Punk On The UFC 181 Post-Show On FOX Sports 1
– VIDEO: CM Punk Press Conference With Reporters After UFC 181
– PHOTOS: CM Punk & His Wife, WWE Diva AJ Lee Backstage At UFC 181
– Details On CM Punk’s UFC Debut, His Competition & More
– Phil Baroni Threatens To Break “Whiney B*tch” CM Punk’s Neck
– Rener Gracie Talks About CM Punk’s Chances In An MMA Fight
– VIDEO: CM Punk Shows Off His MMA Skills
Talk about this on our official FACEBOOK page, or on our official TWITTER page. You can also talk about it in our popular FORUMS.