Former UFC fighter CM Punk shares his belief that MMA owes its existence to professional wrestling. Read more to discover the impact of pro wrestling on MMA and its potential influence on fighters’ career choices.
| The Influence of Professional Wrestling on MMA |
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| CM Punk believes that MMA wouldn’t exist as it is today without professional wrestling. He highlights the impact of pro wrestling on MMA and speculates on the career choices of fighters. Punk suggests that if MMA had been a viable option, many fighters may have pursued it instead of professional wrestling. He emphasizes that fighting is inherent in human DNA and sees MMA as the ultimate test of one’s abilities. |
The Influence of Professional Wrestling on MMA
Former UFC fighter CM Punk recently shared his belief that mixed martial arts (MMA) would not be what it is today without the influence of professional wrestling. While many fans are aware of CM Punk’s return to WWE, he also had a stint in MMA, competing in the UFC. Although he faced defeat in both of his fights, Punk’s willingness to step into the cage garnered respect from some fans.
In a recent interview with ESPN, CM Punk spoke openly about the impact that pro wrestling has had on the world of MMA. He expressed, ‘MMA as we currently know it wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for professional wrestling.’ Punk went on to discuss how the availability of MMA as a viable career option may have deterred many individuals from pursuing professional wrestling.
Punk highlighted the example of Ken Shamrock, who started his career as a professional wrestler before transitioning to MMA. He suggested that if MMA had been as financially lucrative as it is today, Shamrock may have never entered the world of professional wrestling. Punk also mentioned Kurt Angle, speculating that he would have been scouted and recruited into MMA rather than becoming a professional wrestler.
CM Punk further emphasized that fighting is ingrained in human DNA and that MMA serves as the ultimate test of one’s abilities. He even suggested that many current MMA fighters could have pursued careers in professional wrestling if MMA did not exist.
While CM Punk’s views may be subjective, they shed light on the interconnectedness of professional wrestling and MMA. The article originally appeared on BJPENN.COM.
