CM Punk’s UFC run was memorable for all of the incorrect causes.
In 2016, the Punk, whose actual identify is Phil Brooks, tried to comply with within the footsteps of Brock Lesnar, transitioning from the world of sports activities leisure to combined martial arts. Sadly, he failed to copy the success of the previous UFC heavyweight champion, getting completely manhandled by Mickey Gall in his Octagon debut at UFC 203.
Punk returned two years later solely to lose a unanimous choice in opposition to Mike Jackson, although the outcome was finally overturned to a no-contest after Jackson examined constructive for marijuana.
Regardless of failing to gentle up the Octagon like he usually does the wrestling ring, CM Punk was closely compensated for his pair of lackluster showings. Punk’s disclosed payout for every struggle was a cool $500,000, although a report from Bloody Elbow (earlier than being offered and stripped all the way down to a shell of what it as soon as was) revealed that the ‘Second Metropolis Saint’ truly banked greater than 1,000,000 {dollars} per look.
In the midst of a history-making run throughout Punk’s transient stint, former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was understandably pissed off as soon as studying of Punk’s bloated struggle purses. However as a substitute of letting it eat away at him, ‘Mighty Mouse’ selected to make use of it as motivation.
“An enormous spit within the face of all of the champions,” Johnson mentioned of Punk’s UFC payouts on his YouTube channel. “On the finish of the day, it’s extra of a reputation contest that will get you the cash in combined martial arts than precise ability.
“A gentleman who’s 0-1 in combined martial arts, making $500,000 [per fight]. Clearly, he made that cash due to his wrestling historical past. I’m not gonna mislead you guys, this put a chip on my shoulder, and a nasty style in my mouth as a result of I used to be doing combined martial arts my entire complete life and probably the most I ever made within the UFC was like $380,000 plus $40,000. It’s all public report” (h/t MMA Mania).
Demetrious Johnson seems to be again on CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson
“These guys belong within the novice league,” Johnson mentioned whereas rewatching Brooks vs. Mike Jackson. “They haven’t honed their abilities sufficient but in combined martial arts to be on a platform like this. Each from time to time, you’ve gotten these fights the place you give folks a chance to do one thing, and that is what you get. This belongs in an amateur-level struggle [league]. However I guess CM Punk beats him in WWE wrestling.”
Now 37 years previous, Demetrious Johnson remains to be one of many best fighters on the planet. Despatched to ONE Championship as a part of a historic commerce in 2018, ‘Mighty Mouse’ has gone 5-1 contained in the Circle, together with a flyweight title-winning efficiency in opposition to Adriano Moraes at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August 2022. He has since efficiently defended the title, closing out his trilogy with Moraes at ONE Battle Evening 10 in the course of the promotion’s critically acclaimed U.S. debut.
Not too long ago, Johnson returned to the mat on the 2024 IBJJF Pan Championships in Florida. There, he took first place within the Grasp 2 featherweight division earlier than including a silver medal within the openweight match. Alongside the way in which, ‘Mighty Mouse’ earned a victory over a 6’3″, 250-pound competitor, proving that in the case of jiu-jitsu, measurement really doesn’t matter.
