“It’s cool. He’s gonna come in, get his ass whooped and be gone.”
Go ahead and add UFC welterweight Matt Brown to the glass half empty crowd on the promotion signing professional wrestler CM Punk.
This week on his podcast with FOX Sports Brown made it clear that he wasn’t personally offended by CM Punk joining the UFC roster, but that it did catch him off guard.
“I thought the sport, the UFC, itself, was beyond that now,” Brown said. “Bellator doing this, I could understand. I could see other organizations doing it. The UFC, I just didn’t expect it.”
Brown admitted he couldn’t complain about the signing as long as it ‘puts butts in seats,’ comparing the former WWE star to UFC featherweight Conor McGregor.
“It’s unfortunate that it comes to that, where someone has only had four wins and maybe a fifth soon and they’re talking about a title shot. I shouldn’t even say that. They’re talking about a title shot because of the way [McGregor] talks. It’s not because of what he’s done, really.”
Brown explained that while he personally sees himself as a fighter, he understands that the broader audience sees him as an entertainer.
“I don’t have a problem with the UFC doing it,” Brown said. “What I have a problem with is CM Punk being dumb enough to think he can do it. If he wants to come fight a real man I’ll be standing there. I’ll fight Tarec Saffiedine on [Feb. 14] and I’m the main event, everyone will be gone. I’ll fight him right after Tarec if he wants.”
Finding another silver lining, Brown hopes that CM Punk’s grand experiment will serve to educate fans on just how much skill professional fighting requires.
“Hopefully what happens here is that all these keyboard warriors that are like, ‘Oh I could go in there and fight’ see that a legit athlete — CM Punk is an athlete — and they see him go in a get demolished by a prelim fighter or someone that also shouldn’t be in there and they’ll see this s**t is a little more than what you think.”
Brown faces Saffiedine Feb. 14 in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Saffiedine in Broomfield, Colorado.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Big. Former UFC fighters Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry and Cung Le file class-action lawsuit against parent company Zuffa. Listen to the conference call audio here.
Response. The UFC has responded to the announcement of a class action lawsuit against its parent company Zuffa, saying it ‘will vigorously defend itself and its business practices.’
Ultimate questions. Dave Meltzer delves into the claims being made by the class action lawsuit against the UFC.
Signal to noise. Luke Thomas gives you the best and worst of UFC on FOX 13 and the TUF 20 Finale.
Good for champs. UFC champions Jon Jones and Ronda Rousey sign endorsement deals with Reebok.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 182. Extended Preview.
UFC on FOX 13 Fight Motion.
Cody McKenzie sure has some thoughts on the lawsuit. ‘F**k the UFC, I hope they get sued for millions.’
Another classic Khabib video.
ONE FC’s best KOs.
Free Fight: Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson.
Long watches.
…
TWEETS
Noticeably few lawsuit reactions.
It’s on.
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) December 16, 2014
This an a shakedown. #optedOUT
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) December 16, 2014
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN…”@SBNLukeThomas: MMA fan hostility to this lawsuit is the most MMA fan thing ever.”
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) December 16, 2014
“@campbellcombate: .@Benaskren @BestUFCTweeter This is important issue.” UFC skirting taxes by paying fighters as independent contractors.
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 16, 2014
“@NeilPmac: @Benaskren @campbellcombate @BestUFCTweeter Are Bellator fighters independent contractors as well?” I mean no, neither are
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 16, 2014
The law firms who filed suit against the UFC have recent victories over Google, Apple, Intel, and Dow Chemicals? Yikes.
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) December 16, 2014
Look how sucessful @bisping has been.. I know he’s been so close to title but he’s made some $$ in the @ufc I wish I had his tongue.
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) December 16, 2014
Ur paid to fight in the @ufc every1 should shut the hell up @lorenzofertitta @danawhite
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) December 16, 2014
Today is a game changer if your a fighter. Hopefully this improves the quality of life if you choose to fight as a profession
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) December 17, 2014
@BitaNick its a number of things but every fighter I’ve ever talked to loves fighting but hates working for the UFC. It time for change
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) December 17, 2014
It’s early days of (not so successful) fighters v UFC but I can tell you who will be wealthy because of this. Lawyers.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) December 17, 2014
MAYHEM NEVER SIGNED OVER HIS LIKENESS. MAYHEM IS MAYHEM. FOREVER, IN PERPETUITY.
— ANONAMUS (@mayhemmiller) December 17, 2014
Fitch, Le and Quarry sueing the UFC. what do you think their chances are of winning? I just don’t see how they could get anything.
— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) December 17, 2014
Get well soon.
Doc confident I won’t need surgery. Will know more in a few weeks.
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) December 17, 2014
Congrats.
I’m telling you guys stay tuned to reebok and myself big things are coming! I’m officially a Reebok… http://t.co/CMC4vzqFjJ
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 16, 2014
You’re not the only one dancing today, @JonnyBones. Check it out. I am #TeamReebok. An official @Reebok athlete! pic.twitter.com/BlYqMVPBwF
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 16, 2014
THANK YOU!!!! https://t.co/2QpgMxUxaL
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 16, 2014
#judo got promoted to brown belt San kyu today yeah http://t.co/jxhIGyxzdW
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) December 16, 2014
It was a good day @RenzoGracieBJJ 4th Stripe! pic.twitter.com/9AFDFcM91a
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) December 16, 2014
Wild.
“@titoortiz: @sonnench I heard @CMPunk wanted to fight you first to prove to the fans he can fight.” That’s true. Texted me directly.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) December 17, 2014
Remember how FOX showed Nate Diaz walking out of his interview to make him look bad? This is from his youtube… pic.twitter.com/rzjyfJR0nw
— Evan Shoman (@shomanart) December 16, 2014
Ranking explained.
The reason that I’m number 1 contender and next to fight for the title, I’m active fighter, I’ve fought 4 times in 8 months,17fights in UFC
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) December 17, 2014
I’m also blessed to don’t have any serious injury,
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) December 17, 2014
Beef re-booked.
.@EdHermanufc see we didn’t have 2 wait long.The octagon is way cooler than fighting in the airport or 4 free.Happy holidays gonna beat u up
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 16, 2014
@EdHermanufc you’ve got some nerves !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 16, 2014
MOAR.
@dc_mma and @kingmofh getting after it today. #Wrestling #ChampCamp http://t.co/6rnQ3kUpxg
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 16, 2014
Shake it for SQOR.
Sooo since my fight all I’ve been doing is eating & watching the Goonies #TruffleShuffle http://t.co/AMsDpgzuLQ
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) December 17, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 16 2014)
Derek Brunson vs. Ed Herman at UFC 183
Derrick Lewis vs. Ruan Potts at UFC 184
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.