Twitter Reacts as CM Punk Announces UFC Signing

CM Punk is coming to the UFC, and Twitter exploded following the news.

Phil Brooks (his real name) officially inked a deal with the UFC, and the announcement came on the UFC 181 broadcast on Saturday night. Better known by his professional wrestling moniker of CM Punk, Brooks will be making his MMA debut in 2015.

CM Punk has had a tumultuous 2014 with World Wrestling Entertainment. He left the company after the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, and recently on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast he discussed the multitude of reasons why he left the organization:

On Part 2 of the podcast, he mentioned the UFC was part of his no-compete clause, but he received his walking papers on the day of his wedding, which left him open to explore all his possibilities. CM Punk has been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for many years, but no one knows exactly how talented of a fighter he is.

Some folks were happy, while others suggested this is a publicity stunt that makes the sport look awful.

Michael Carroll of FightMetric tweeted just moments before the announcement a teaser of what many thought would happen:

Then after the announcement—mayhem on Twitter:

"

Old guy who's never competed in an athletic competition in his life, even in high school, signs w/ @UFC. Tell me again this is a real sport.

— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) December 7, 2014"

"

Can you imagine an NFL team signing CM Punk? Baseball? Could he play on the tennis circuit? NASCAR? Why #UFC? Laughable.

— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) December 7, 2014"

"

CM Punk is in the UFC, Ben Askren is not.

— caposa (@GrabakaHitman) December 7, 2014"

"

For God's sake y'all: Brock Lesnar was an NCAA champion. And was BROCK LESNAR. A freak athlete. Punk is a guy who has never competed. Ever.

— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) December 7, 2014"

"

“@chrismccann924: @FrontRowBrian Will Chael make the walk with Punk for his debut?” YES.

— FrontRowBrian® (@FrontRowBrian) December 7, 2014"

It will be interesting to see who the UFC matches CM Punk up against for his first-ever MMA fight. The company will want to exploit his popularity but will also have to manage that with where he is at in his training. He will not get the Brock Lesnar treatment of an immediate top-tier bout.

CM Punk's joining the UFC is one big way to help close out the year and put all eyes on the promotion in 2015.