UFC Will 'Most Likely' Look Outside Current Roster for CM Punk's Debut Opponent

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta believes Phil "CM Punk" Brooks' Octagon debut will be competitive. 

While Fertitta is not sure who exactly will introduce Brooks to the cage, he recently told ESPN.com's Brett Okamoto the company will "most likely" look outside its current roster to find a suitable opponent. 

But that doesn't mean it's searching for any Joe off the streets who took a class or two at a local dojo. Prefacing his comments by saying he'll defer to UFC matchmaker Joe Silva for the official booking, Fertitta said Brooks' opponent will be legit, somebody MMA media will recognize. 

"I think it has to be somebody with some level of credentials," Fertitta told ESPN.com. "It's not just going to be some guy off the street. It's going to be somebody who is a professional mixed martial artist—certainly somebody who MMA media will recognize and know." 

This is good news. 

Brooks, who is expected to fight at middleweight, according to Okamoto, possesses no formal experience inside the cage. He's 0-0 in his professional career, and the trophy case for his amateur achievements is just as bare. 

While the former professional wrestler is a superstar with great name value and fan recognition, there's no doubt his trek into the world of MMA will be met with considerable challenge and adversity. 

According to UFC President Dana White, to help prepare for his debut, Brooks decided to train at Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis and One FC welterweight champ Ben Askren among others (h/t MMAFighting.com). 

Brooks, to his credit, isn't trying to act like he's going to step up and blitz the scene. He's remained humble and appreciative of his opportunity since it was announced, and he's kept his nose down in Milwaukee to prepare for what might be the most strenuous athletic test of his life. 

For now, the man standing across from him on the day remains unknown, but if Fertitta's words hold true, fans will be in for an evenly matched, fair fight.