CM Punk Has Managed To Change Ben Askren's Mind On MMA Jump

ONE FC champion says there's no reason CM Punk can't compete in the UFC.

By Jay Anderson /

You can consider Ben Askren one of the converted. The ONE FC welterweight champion, and former Bellator welterweight champion, with an undefeated record in professional MMA, was one of the most vocal critics of the UFC's signing of CM Punk when the news was announced in December. When Punk chose to train at Rousfusport, where both Askren and UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis make their home, many were unsure of how the two would get along. Punk admitted that he would need to talk to Ben. Well, it turns out, now that they're training together, Askren has come around on the Punk signing. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Askren had the following to say about his new team mate;
When someone decides to come into the UFC and they don€™t have a combat sports background, you€™re kind of thinking, does he really understand what he€™s getting into? But I think he gets it. I think he€™s taking it very seriously.
He went on to say that it wasn't as if Punk was going to be started off against an experienced fighter, but that;
Obviously, they€™re not going to start him off against one of the higher-ranked guys, but they don€™t do that to anybody. There will be someone good.
He also applauded Punk's effort in the gym, and stated that he doesn't see why Punk wouldn't be able to compete in the sport. That's a vast change from Askren, who was highly critical of the Punk signing. Much of that likely stems from the UFC declining to offer him a contract to fight in the organization after he left Bellator as their reigning welterweight champ. Askren is considered by many to be the best welterweight outside the UFC, and a top ten fighter in the division. His style, however - generally seen as mainly relying on wrestling, and as a result, "boring" - makes him a divisive figure among fans. Much like CM Punk will likely be. However, the UFC's choice not to sign Askren had more to do with animosity between UFC President Dana White and then-Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney than anything else. In fact, there's a good chance that some day down the road, Askren will be fighting alongside his new team mate in the UFC. Meanwhile, the fact that Punk is winning over critics can only been seen as a positive.