UFC: 5 Ways CM Punk Can Revitalize His MMA Career
4. Spend Some Time On The Amateur Wrestling Circuit
One thing CM Punk has working against him is the fact that he never competed in any combat sports prior to becoming a professional mixed martial artist.
Most of the best fighters in the world have spent a significant portion of their life either wrestling or practicing some form of martial arts. Unfortunately, at 40, Punk doesn't have time to become a world-class grappler or Muay Thai champion. That being said, putting down the MMA gloves for a year or so and learning how to wrestle, would at least give him a chance against the Mike Jacksons of the world.
Punk would benefit a great deal from entering some freestyle wrestling tournaments and putting in some serious time on the mat. This would keep him from getting taken down at will, the way he did in his fight with Mickey Gall, and provide a solid foundation to continue to build the rest of his skills around.
If Punk can become even a serviceable wrestler, he should be able to hang with other relatively inexperienced fighters. Moreover, whatever promotion he fights for next could bill him as a sort of new and improved CM Punk.