Morning Report: CM Punk expects fans to be 'disappointed' when he 'beats up and chokes' opponent in UFC debut
CM Punk knows a healthy bit of MMA fans can't wait to see him get knocked out in the Octagon.
The former WWE star just hopes it ends up costing you.
Speaking with 'The Head Line' (via MMAMania), Punk says his yet-to-be-named opponent is "in for a rude awakening" if he isn't taking the professional wrestler seriously.
"I expect people to be disappointed," Punk said. "I expect all those people that think I'm going to get knocked out in 10 seconds to be disappointed. I expect people to bet against me and lose their money. I expect people to get divorced because they're upset that their wife wanted me to win and they wanted me to lose, you know?
"But the people who have stood by me and supported me know it's business as usual. They know what kind of person I am and they know how I am at the gym. And once that cage door shuts it's between one minute and 15 minutes before the fight ends and my hand gets raised."
Punk doesn't officially have a dance partner yet, but the honor looks to going to Mickey Gall. If the 23-year-old 1-0 pro can survive the 0-0 Michael Jackson at UFC 196 he'll face Punk, likely at UFC 199 or UFC 200.
Gall called Punk out during the latest episode of UFC president Dana White's Looking for a Fight reality show, which is apparently all it took for White to be "interested."
Given his history, Punk can appreciate a guy who can sell on the mic.
"It's not like the other guys who are talking behind the computer," said Punk. "He recognized his audience and knew that he had Dana's ear. Dana was sitting front row center for his fight and he called me out. I wouldn't say it was calculated but it was the right place, right time. He did what he had to do. He didn't let that opportunity slip through his fingers."
Punk says he doesn't plan on cutting any WWE-esque promos on Gall but won't shy away if need be.
"I have no plans to have any kind of a fabricated persona. If it gets personal I'm sure I'd have a dozen quick-witted things to say but I don't really feel that it would get personal. I've got nothing personal against him. I'm going to beat him up, choke him and it's just business."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'I'll dust him in under one minute.' Conor McGregor predicts another quick finish against UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
'I want to make Conor McGregor quit at UFC 197.' Rafael dos Anjos says he'll send McGregor back down to the featherweight division "so Jose Aldo can finish him for good."
Do it again. Chris Weidman expects an immediate rematch with UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold, possibly at UFC 199.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Cruz retaking his title from Dillashaw and reacts to the UFC 197 press conference in this week's live chat.
'ASAP.' Anthony Pettis wants to fight again as soon as possible after his loss to Eddie Alvarez.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from Wednesday's UFC 197 presser, with faceoffs. (full presser here)
Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
Why not Mike Tyson?
Chael Sonnen recaps Cruz vs. Dillashaw and Browne vs. Mitrinone.
Taking a look at some of the alleged fixed fights of the past.
Excited about SNL?
Long watches.
If I Did It: KenFlo battle plagarism, the Fertitta Brothers Sell Out
...
You're Welcome with Chael Sonnen - Dominick Cruz
...
TWEETS
Chop.
Keeping up with The Guzman's. pic.twitter.com/dOkrVpU4yI
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 21, 2016
Sounds firm.
The return of The Prodigy is soon #DWCOTD pic.twitter.com/Pf4VesmKWl
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 21, 2016
Congrats.
Guess who's got 2 eyes again! A great big Hell yes to binocular fusion! pic.twitter.com/jjqoI12Dvj
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) January 20, 2016
Just spoke to the doc and I will be cleared to train fully in a few weeks! #readytofight
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) January 20, 2016
Beef.
I hear @showtimepettis is looking to get back in the cage soon @ufc well I'm looking aswell!... https://t.co/RdRB5wSONi
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 20, 2016
@TonyFergusonXT Do you want to check out who has the best Grappling? Lets answer the UFC I said that I wanted to fight, enough chatter #ufc
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 20, 2016
@jessicaevileye @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby I accept I hope you do not run away this time
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) January 20, 2016
Yo @bjpenndotcom- nobody will meet in the middle & throw down like we will. Let's do this! #AnyWeightAnyDate @lactigo @danawhite @seanshelby
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) January 20, 2016
.@bjpenndotcom has a fight #allegedly. Where you at @clayguida, you ready to finally step up and get it or what? #AnyWeightAnyDate @lactigo
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) January 21, 2016
Buds.
@JacareMMA if you need help getting ready for @vitorbelfort let me know. I'll be there.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 20, 2016
Get well soon.
On my way to my appointment to take the plastic stents and stitches out of my nose finally! I'll try to record it! pic.twitter.com/OVr9WcN2Iu
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 20, 2016
Getting the dressing changed. Can't wait for the bionic arm to heal up pic.twitter.com/OcLplALISV
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) January 20, 2016
Torture | Tortury #ready #fight #rehab #physiotherapy @rehabilitacja.holistyczna #hand #... https://t.co/wGNYBipNNc pic.twitter.com/zLQZXRW5DT
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) January 20, 2016
Buy the Sagemobile.
I just put my Boss 302 up for sale @net_car_showroom_houston 832-455-5746 pic.twitter.com/csNDBGlcgq
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) January 20, 2016
Dang.
.@GPVillante @MikeTyson @EASPORTSUFC loved watching tyson KO u!1st thing I noticed is they have the scar on your back from when u gt stabbed
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) January 20, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 20 2016)
Jim Miller vs. Diego Sanchez at UFC 197
Darren Elkins vs. Chas Skelly at UFC 197
Viscardi Andrade vs. Richard Walsh at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.