CM Punk on UFC Debut: 'I Wouldn't Be Upset If It Got Pushed to 2016'

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was a professional MMA fighter capable of competing against the baddest dudes on the planet. CM Punk dropped a bomb on fight fans last December, announcing he had signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.

He was expected to make his debut sometime in 2015.

Well, 2015 is here, and we have yet to hear anything about an opponent or fight date for the former professional wrestling star. During an appearance on The Jon Anik and Kenny Florian Podcast show, Punk gave fans an update on his fight progress:

"

I think a lot of people are antsy. There’s people on Twitter saying, ‘Oh, you're never gonna fight.’ This was just announced in what, November, December? I’ve been training full time for like six months. As bad as I have the itch to get in there, I want to be as prepared as possible. I wouldn't be upset if it got pushed to 2016.

"

Punk continues to make it clear that he isn’t dipping a toe in to test the professional fight waters. He is fully committed to this new career path and the sinking or swimming that comes with it.

Behind the shielding doors of Roufusport, Punk hones his skills full time with head coach Duke Roufus, former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis and ONE welterweight champ Ben Askren. He hopes to “maximize” his time training without the pressures of potentially jumping into the cage too soon.

UFC President Dana White, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and matchmaker Joe Silva have all kept their distance, according to Punk, who claims he has had zero talks with anyone in the UFC about a fight date or an opponent.

Perhaps it’s for the best considering Punk has zero fights and no martial arts background whatsoever. The “Best in the World” is another drop in the bucket in MMA. Time would at least give him a fighting chance.

Why should that be denied?

Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.