All the time it has taken for CM Punk to get ready for his UFC debut has left ample opportunities for his detractors to disparage him prior to even entering the Octagon.
The former WWE Superstar is looking to make the transition from wrestling to mixed martial arts, but he has had plenty of naysayers along the way. Punk left the WWE in January 2014 only to sign with UFC that December, but after myriad setbacks, he still hasn't entered the cage.
It appeared Punk was set to make his debut against Mickey Gall this summer, but the fight had to be pushed back due to the "Best in the World" having to undergo back surgery. While Punk has yet to show what he's got in the Octagon, one UFC fighter already revealed the struggles the former WWE Champion has come across.
Michael Bisping appeared on Sirius XM Radio and talked about Punk's debut, saying that the wrestler-turned-UFC fighter lost 15 of 16 simulated test fights in the gym as he got ready for his premiere bout, according to Entimports.com. If this is true, it once again brings into focus how difficult it is for the 37-year-old former wrestler to join UFC and how perhaps leaving wrestling was a mistake.
Any fan of Punk and wrestling could sense that the WWE didn't truly know how to use him, but that doesn't mean he had to bolt for the UFC. Punk has a dream and all power to him for trying to live it out, but he could have continued his wrestling career elsewhere if he was that unhappy in the WWE.
Bisping is one of many competitors and pundits who have lambasted Punk for his attempt to step into the Octagon after carving out a career in pro wrestling. This isn't the first time "The Count" has ripped on Punk, as he said in the past the "Best in the World" striking a deal with UFC was a mistake.
"I respect anybody that has the cahonies to step inside an Octagon, but if you're coming from a professional wrestling background like he is, y'know, this isn't 'story time' with mum and dad," Bisping told TSN's 'Off The Record' last April. "This the real thing. He's gonna learn pretty hard and pretty fast that this was a gigantic mistake on his behalf."
Nothing will truly be certain until Punk steps inside the Octagon, but one has to wonder if leaving wrestling was a huge mistake on his part.
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