9 Predictions For CM Punk's Debut At UFC 203
1. Punk May Fight His Way Into A UFC Career Outside The Cage
There might just be an end game to the whole "CM Punk fighting in the UFC" experiment, and it could very well be this:
By getting some experience in the sport, Punk could be setting himself up to join the company outside the cage. As a colour commentator, for example.
Think about it: Punk has plenty of experience on the mic, in front of large crowds, and he has done colour commentary before for the WWE. Sure, he was in character, but lets not forget that the UFC did have talks with Jim Ross, and Ross even made the jump to MMA commentary for Battlegrounds MMA. In other words, this sort of move wouldn't be unprecedented.
Now, mix in the fact that Joe Rogan has talked about retirement in recent years, and recently announced that he will be taking a reduced schedule in his newest contract. He'll only work Pay Per Views, and he won't work international shows.
That leaves a pretty big hole to fill. While the B-team of Jon Anik and Brian Stann have been doing a solid job, with the number of UFC events and the travel involved, Punk might actually be a great fit in this role. He's a huge MMA fan, has plenty of knowledge of the sport, and having taken a fight or two, he'd been seen as credible in the role.