UFC analyst Matt Brown scrutinizes the martial arts journey of Si Em Panc throughout his professional career.
Cashin' In on the Octagon
April saw CM Punk, the widely celebrated wrestler, headline WrestleMania 41. MMA enthusiasts also know him for his brief stint with UFC. Following his public exit from WWE and a dive into mixed martial arts, his UFC contract came under major scrutiny. His brief time in the league resulted in two losses - both L's came during his promotion debut against Mickey Gall, which ended in the blink of an eye in the first round.
UFC legend Matt Brown can't fathom why the league took a leap of faith with Punk, gambling on his popularity rather than his fighting prowess. In a new episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, he voiced his concerns:
"Frankly, I reckon they didn't get the cutthroat publicity they'd hoped for. Maybe I'm missing something. It's more like a publicity stunt for Mickey Gall than anyone else."
He voiced further, "You don't belong inside the octagon because of your fame or celebrity status. You should be the best at what you do. Isn't that right, pal?"
After Punk's disappointing UFC journey, Dana White seems to have shut the door on other WWE grapplers trying their luck in the octagon, despite their infatuation with the sport. Logan Paul himself admitted he swung for a UFC fight but never got a reply back.
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🔍 Scoop:
Dana White's decisions regarding WWE stars steeping into the UFC appear to have been swayed by CM Punk's performance, though it's not explicitly stated that this directly influences others such as Logan Paul. However, the common apprehension and Dana White's careful approach toward crossover events may indirectly impact their opportunities.
- Punk's UFC Struggles: Punk had a tumultuous UFC run after departing from WWE. His lackluster performance could have influenced Dana White's stricter stance on future WWE-UFC crossovers.
- Paul's Ambitions: Paul has expressed a keen interest in UFC fights and even reached out to Dana White. However, his proposal seemed to go unnoticed, reflecting a general hesitation or caution on behalf of the UFC when it comes to celebrities or crossover fighters.
- Overall Climate: The current sentiment points to proposals and conversations about WWE-UFC crossovers (for instance, Seth Rollins challenging CM Punk), but Dana White appears to be less enthusiastic about pursuing opportunities for traditional wrestling stars like Paul[2][4]. Triple H's ambitious plans for major UFC-WWE collaborations have put Dana White on red alert, but precise actions or decisions regarding Paul's possible UFC venture are not provided in the latest news[4].
In short, while Dana White's decisions may not have had adirect impact on Paul's UFC entry, the overall wariness toward crossover events could be a contributing factor. However, specific actions or decisions relevant to Paul's interest in UFC are not explicitly linked to Dana White's stance on WWE-UFC mashups post-Punk.
Bookmakers might reconsider adding Logan Paul to the UFC roster, considering the league's cautious approach towards crossover events due to CM Punk's struggles in the octagon. Mickey Gall, who defeated Punk in his UFC debut, could potentially profit from the league's apprehension about celebrity fighters. The UFC PR team might face challenges in marketing a celebrity fighter like Logan Paul, given Matt Brown's criticism of the league's reliance on popularity over fighting skills.
