CM Punk on his jump from WWE to the UFC: ‘I’m not doing it for the money’

LAS VEGAS – There are plenty of reasons why Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, jumped over from pro wrestling to the UFC.

The Chicago native insists it isn’t all about the Benjamins.

“I’m not doing it for the money,” Punk said at a fan Q&A session Friday at the MGM Grand Marquee ballroom.

Punk, who indicated that his first fight will be part of a pay-per-view broadcast, went on to say that he doesn’t view his entry into the UFC with an 0-0 MMA record as a matter of getting in line in front of others.

“I don’t see getting into the UFC as jumping in the line ahead of anybody,” Punk said. “I’m not getting a title shot by any means. It’s, I hate saying it’s a bucket-list thing, because that makes it sound like a one-and-done, and it’s certainly not. The business side of it is, everyone stands to make a lot of money.”

Punk, did, however, rule out one potential reason why he made the jump. Punk’s split from the WWE was contentious, but when asked by a fan, he said he didn’t switch over to MMA to spite his former employers.

“That would be a silly reason to step into the Octagon with people who could kill you,” Punk said.

LAS VEGAS – There are plenty of reasons why Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, jumped over from pro wrestling to the UFC.

The Chicago native insists it isn’t all about the Benjamins.

“I’m not doing it for the money,” Punk said at a fan Q&A session Friday at the MGM Grand Marquee ballroom.

Punk, who indicated that his first fight will be part of a pay-per-view broadcast, went on to say that he doesn’t view his entry into the UFC with an 0-0 MMA record as a matter of getting in line in front of others.

“I don’t see getting into the UFC as jumping in the line ahead of anybody,” Punk said. “I’m not getting a title shot by any means. It’s, I hate saying it’s a bucket-list thing, because that makes it sound like a one-and-done, and it’s certainly not. The business side of it is, everyone stands to make a lot of money.”

Punk, did, however, rule out one potential reason why he made the jump. Punk’s split from the WWE was contentious, but when asked by a fan, he said he didn’t switch over to MMA to spite his former employers.

“That would be a silly reason to step into the Octagon with people who could kill you,” Punk said.