Dana White: ‘I wouldn’t mind talking to CM Punk’

CM Punk is a huge fan of MMA, has a major following from his days with WWE and has trained for years in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the Gracies. So would UFC president Dana White hear what he has to say about fighting in the UFC?

Why not?

“He is a big fan,” White told TMZ. “I like him very much. He’s a great dude. I don’t know if he can fight or anything like that, but sure. I wouldn’t mind talking to CM Punk.”

Punk did say last week on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast that he has a no-compete clause with UFC in his WWE termination contract, so any type of business relationship would likely have to wait until the summer. CM Punk said Alberto Del Rio, another recently ousted WWE star, has similar language in his deal. Del Rio once competed in MMA under the name “Dos Caras, Jr.” and fought Mirko Cro Cop in PRIDE.

“Just like UFC is not WWE’s competition, but you can’t go work there for a year after they fire you on your wedding day,” Punk told Cabana.

White was also asked about current WWE champion and former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar, whose WWE deal reportedly expires in April. White said last month at the Time Is Now press conference that he has heard Lesnar is interested in restarting his MMA career. Bellator MMA president Scott Coker said on The MMA Hour on Monday that he would also be interested in pursuing Lesnar.

“I have a great relationship with Brock,” White said. “He’s with the WWE doing his thing. If and when his deal is up with them and he wants to fight, I’m sure he’ll call me.”

CM Punk is a huge fan of MMA, has a major following from his days with WWE and has trained for years in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the Gracies. So would UFC president Dana White hear what he has to say about fighting in the UFC?

Why not?

“He is a big fan,” White told TMZ. “I like him very much. He’s a great dude. I don’t know if he can fight or anything like that, but sure. I wouldn’t mind talking to CM Punk.”

Punk did say last week on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast that he has a no-compete clause with UFC in his WWE termination contract, so any type of business relationship would likely have to wait until the summer. CM Punk said Alberto Del Rio, another recently ousted WWE star, has similar language in his deal. Del Rio once competed in MMA under the name “Dos Caras, Jr.” and fought Mirko Cro Cop in PRIDE.

“Just like UFC is not WWE’s competition, but you can’t go work there for a year after they fire you on your wedding day,” Punk told Cabana.

White was also asked about current WWE champion and former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar, whose WWE deal reportedly expires in April. White said last month at the Time Is Now press conference that he has heard Lesnar is interested in restarting his MMA career. Bellator MMA president Scott Coker said on The MMA Hour on Monday that he would also be interested in pursuing Lesnar.

“I have a great relationship with Brock,” White said. “He’s with the WWE doing his thing. If and when his deal is up with them and he wants to fight, I’m sure he’ll call me.”