CM Punk chuckled upon hearing that Seth Rollins had challenged him to a UFC fight before their triple threat match at WrestleMania 41.
Punk, who returned to WWE in 2023 after a decade away and previously competed in UFC, addressed Rollins` challenge. Rollins stated he would train in MMA specifically to settle his differences with Punk in the octagon. Despite lacking formal martial arts training, Rollins claimed he would undergo a full training camp for a real fight against Punk.
Rollins suggested to Dana White, the UFC president, that booking this fight would be lucrative. He admitted he wouldn`t fight anyone else in MMA, but would make an exception for Punk.
The animosity between the WWE stars is well-known. However, Punk responded to Rollins` challenge by pointing to their upcoming match in Las Vegas as the place to settle things.
Punk stated on The Ringer Wrestling Show that he intends to “punch this motherf*cker in the face” on Saturday. Addressing Rollins` MMA aspirations, Punk invited him to “hell” at their WrestleMania encounter.
Punk famously signed with UFC in 2014 after leaving WWE and debuted in 2016. He experienced a submission loss in his first fight and a decision loss in his second in 2018, though the latter result was overturned due to his opponent`s positive marijuana test.
While remaining an MMA enthusiast, even expressing sympathy for Diego Lopes after his UFC 314 loss in the same interview, Punk is now fully focused on his professional wrestling career.
Nevertheless, Punk maintains close relationships with former MMA training partners, including UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, hinting that a return to MMA might not be entirely impossible.
Punk expressed appreciation for his MMA experience and believes being underestimated due to it is advantageous.
Punk is set to face Rollins and Roman Reigns in a triple threat main event on the first night of WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday.
