<div class="Article" style="float: left;">
<table>
<tr style="vertical-align: bottom;">
<td>
<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=449058" target="_blank">
Ross: UFC Signing of CM Punk a 'no-brainer'
</a></h3>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=449058" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=50&q=75&x=78&y=50&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=jim-ross-10-03-2014-9-47-3-43.jpg" /></a>
<div style="clear: both; line-height: 1px;height: 1px;"> </div>
</div>
<p>This weekend the UFC shocked fans and media announcing it had signed former WWE champion to fight in the Octagon. Although Punk, real name Phil Brooks, has never fought mixed martial arts, the decision to sign him was a 'no-brainer' according to WWE commentator Jim Ross, who is uniquely qualified to comment on the situation as he spends time in both the pro wrestling and MMA world:</p>
Today Punk -- aka Philip Jack Brooks -- is the newest member of the UFC and the response has been mixed. Some MMA purists are seemingly on the verge of revolt about how a pro wrestler can be signed to the No. 1 MMA company in the world while other fighters toil away in the hinterlands waiting to be discovered.
It's a good thing that those who are squealing like a pig stuck under a gate aren't running the show or handling the marketing of an MMA entity.
For White, signing Punk is a no-lose situation. Punk brings with him immense name identity globally via WWE, and his main event visibility there for the past several years. When one's former company -- WWE -- is in more than 150 countries in multiple languages, then one of their top and most popular stars is going to be known around the world, which makes Punk a highly marketable fighter -- at worst, one time.
Good article. From a business standpoint I think JR is correct. I wish UFC was about signing the best fighters, instead of unproven guys who will make them money, but it is what it is. Who knows, maybe Punk will turn out to be good. My money is on him being at least decent and not embarrassing himself.
I have said already that if I was Dana I'd sign CM Punk too, for many of the reasons Ross pointed out in his article. The problem I see is that if the UFC really wants to push into the mainstream then it should be distancing itself from pro wrestling, err sports entertainment, not the other way around.
For many obvious reasons the XFL failed miserably. But what virtually guaranteed it's demise no matter how much money and effort was put in was Vince himself standing at the 50 yard line on opening night in full Mr. McMahon character pointing to the big screen where The Rock appeared before yelling "Welcome to the X F L!!!!!!" ... and in an instant all credibility was lost - save for the WWE fans of course. It was guilt by association.
Of course the UFC hasn't stooped (yet) to having Jesse Venture color commentate, or cutting backstage promos, or tables, ladders and chairs matches, but the more they associate with wrasslin' the more they damage mainstream acceptance. One tiny step, but I think an important one, is to insist he fight under his real name, not CM Punk.
So for understanding that this is completely and 100% for marketing is making me a "purist"? As if I'm some kind of douche for caring about the integrity of MMA as a sport?
Let's sign Tom Cruise to quarterback the Oakland Raiders because it'll draw in every country in the world.... OR we could keep the integrity of our sport in tact and have only elite athletes in the elite league..... How's that for a thought?
The fact that Ross is thinking about this purely from a marketing standpoint tells me that he thinks MMA and pro wrestling are almost the same thing.
Dana has forfeited his high horse from which he called Pride a place for "freak show fights" and now he has welcomed the freak show with open arms.
There is no tape on punk grappling or hitting mitts or anything as far as I can see and who knows if anyone at the UFC has seen any skills from him whatsoever.
It's a complete joke and the UFC just lost a lot of respect from top sports analysts in an attempt to draw pro wrestling fans. And pro wrestling fans like Jim Ross couldn't be happier.
So for understanding that this is completely and 100% for marketing is making me a "purist"? As if I'm some kind of douche for caring about the integrity of MMA as a sport?
Let's sign Tom Cruise to quarterback the Oakland Raiders because it'll draw in every country in the world.... OR we could keep the integrity of our sport in tact and have only elite athletes in the elite league..... How's that for a thought?
The fact that Ross is thinking about this purely from a marketing standpoint tells me that he thinks MMA and pro wrestling are almost the same thing.
Dana has forfeited his high horse from which he called Pride a place for "freak show fights" and now he has welcomed the freak show with open arms.
There is no tape on punk grappling or hitting mitts or anything as far as I can see and who knows if anyone at the UFC has seen any skills from him whatsoever.
It's a complete joke and the UFC just lost a lot of respect from top sports analysts in an attempt to draw pro wrestling fans. And pro wrestling fans like Jim Ross couldn't be happier.
What a freak show this is.
They are almost the same thing.. they use prowrestling marketing, you and others fell for Dana's McMahon persona hook line and sinker too.. It's not rocket science.
BW92 - With all due respect to JR, he's the man, I'm thoroughly uninterested in anyone with a pro wrestling background's take on it.
I don't even know if I'm pro or anti Punk in the UFC, but Jim fuckin Ross is not the guy to dedicate a main page story to on this subject
Why not? He is well versed in the culture of mma and follows the sport.
I don't think he really is well versed in the culture at all. He's well versed in pro wrestling culture because he's lived in it his whole life.
But MMA? He is nothing more than a fan. He hasn't spent the time around the athletes, time in the gym, time dealing with the promoters, or even time getting to know the difference between how to market a sport vs a form of 'sports entertainment'.
Ask the NFL execs or NHL execs or MLB execs if this is a good decision. They'll tell you that any respect MMA had for being a legit sport, has been damaged by this. Would they do something like this? Fuck no.
Jim Ross is a pro wrestling guy and it's clear as day he is looking at this from one angle - that of a pro wrestling guy.
BW92 - With all due respect to JR, he's the man, I'm thoroughly uninterested in anyone with a pro wrestling background's take on it.
I don't even know if I'm pro or anti Punk in the UFC, but Jim fuckin Ross is not the guy to dedicate a main page story to on this subject
Why not? He is well versed in the culture of mma and follows the sport.
I don't think he really is well versed in the culture at all. He's well versed in pro wrestling culture because he's lived in it his whole life.
But MMA? He is nothing more than a fan. He hasn't spent the time around the athletes, time in the gym, time dealing with the promoters, or even time getting to know the difference between how to market a sport vs a form of 'sports entertainment'.
Ask the NFL execs or NHL execs or MLB execs if this is a good decision. They'll tell you that any respect MMA had for being a legit sport, has been damaged by this. Would they do something like this? Fuck no.
Jim Ross is a pro wrestling guy and it's clear as day he is looking at this from one angle - that of a pro wrestling guy.
You're a moron if you actually believe any of this you've posted. I guess Dana and Lorenzo aren't versed in MMA's culture but Prowrestling since they have done nothing but rip it off since they bought out the UFC.
So for understanding that this is completely and 100% for marketing is making me a "purist"? As if I'm some kind of douche for caring about the integrity of MMA as a sport?
Let's sign Tom Cruise to quarterback the Oakland Raiders because it'll draw in every country in the world.... OR we could keep the integrity of our sport in tact and have only elite athletes in the elite league..... How's that for a thought?
The fact that Ross is thinking about this purely from a marketing standpoint tells me that he thinks MMA and pro wrestling are almost the same thing.
Dana has forfeited his high horse from which he called Pride a place for "freak show fights" and now he has welcomed the freak show with open arms.
There is no tape on punk grappling or hitting mitts or anything as far as I can see and who knows if anyone at the UFC has seen any skills from him whatsoever.
It's a complete joke and the UFC just lost a lot of respect from top sports analysts in an attempt to draw pro wrestling fans. And pro wrestling fans like Jim Ross couldn't be happier.
What a freak show this is.
They are almost the same thing.. they use prowrestling marketing, you and others fell for Dana's McMahon persona hook line and sinker too.. It's not rocket science.
Oh shut the fuck up dickhead. What is your obsession with Dana White?
I couldn't care less about that bald fuck but you can't seem to get his name out of your mouth.
I've done martial arts for the vast majority of my life and I spent a lot of time teaching martial arts. I'm in it for the sport you fuckin knob and just because you were attracted to the sport because of the pro wrestling drama you saw in it doesn't mean others were.
Some of us care that it's a sport first and foremost.
Your accusations that I give half a fuck about Dana White shows how big of a moron you are - that is if it wasn't obvious when Dana called you out and coined you as RyanVonDick. He should have called you RyanVonDickRider because you can't seem to get Dana out of your mind.
BW92 - With all due respect to JR, he's the man, I'm thoroughly uninterested in anyone with a pro wrestling background's take on it.
I don't even know if I'm pro or anti Punk in the UFC, but Jim fuckin Ross is not the guy to dedicate a main page story to on this subject
Why not? He is well versed in the culture of mma and follows the sport.
I don't think he really is well versed in the culture at all. He's well versed in pro wrestling culture because he's lived in it his whole life.
But MMA? He is nothing more than a fan. He hasn't spent the time around the athletes, time in the gym, time dealing with the promoters, or even time getting to know the difference between how to market a sport vs a form of 'sports entertainment'.
Ask the NFL execs or NHL execs or MLB execs if this is a good decision. They'll tell you that any respect MMA had for being a legit sport, has been damaged by this. Would they do something like this? Fuck no.
Jim Ross is a pro wrestling guy and it's clear as day he is looking at this from one angle - that of a pro wrestling guy.
You're a moron if you actually believe any of this you've posted. I guess Dana and Lorenzo aren't versed in MMA's culture but Prowrestling since they have done nothing but rip it off since they bought out the UFC.
Bro. Dana and Lorenzo don't care about you. Stop trying to get their attention you fuckin loser.
RyanVonDoom is the reason they cater to the dumber fans. He's obsessed with the drama of the bullshit that surrounds the fights.
You are exactly what is wrong with the sport. It should be about the fights and every time I see you post it's all bullshit about Dana that no one gives a fuck about.
It better not be a bottom tier guy. If he signs with the UFC and avoids the roster talent or anyone in the top 15 he'll just be making a mockery of the UFC's cage.
Some of you guys fuckin take this shit way to seriously. Who gives a flying fuck if the guy is a pro wrestler?!! "Oh the legitimacy...." give me a break you fuckin pussies!
Dana signed him because the guy knows how to fight and is famous. It's a good business move for the UFC. Punk also seems to me like the kinda guy that is going to take this shit seriously. Talk shit about Pro Wrestling all you want, it's hard work to do that shit and it takes a ton of heart, training and dedication, it's not easy by any means.
The last time he signed a former pro wrestler, the guy ended up becoming one of the most popular fighters in the history of the business. Just like JR said, Punk is famous WORLD WIDE.....Let's just see how this plays out. If you don't like it, then you don't have to watch!!!!! But I'm sure every single hater will tune in hoping to see him get his ass kicked, so Dana wins anways.
Why does every fight have to be about the title? That's what is making MMA boring. Sometimes I just want to see a vs fight or an attraction "What if" fight. CM Punk vs a pro boxer. It's interesting. It brings in new fans. Remember how pumped everybody was when James Toney made his way to the cage against Couture?
WrestlingSucks - Why does every fight have to be about the title? That's what is making MMA boring. Sometimes I just want to see a vs fight or an attraction "What if" fight. CM Punk vs a pro boxer. It's interesting. It brings in new fans. Remember how pumped everybody was when James Toney made his way to the cage against Couture?
I think that could be fun if the UFC added a novelty fight to each card. But I guess they would run into issues with athletic commissions and such.
Yeah pro baseball wouldn't sign an nba star to see if they could play pro ball against lower level comp., and the nfl wouldn't give a pro wrestler or track star an extended try out.
