CM Punk’s free ride into the UFC doesn’t sit well with Nate Diaz, a proven veteran with a decade of experience in the fight game.
Even a circus wouldn’t be able to hold the vast amounts of insanity that has bombarded the UFC in the past week. One thing is certain: The floodgates were opened when the UFC announced the signing of former WWE champion CM Punk at UFC 181.
Initially, it was believed that Punk would take up commentary or some other harmless role to get his foot in the door of the fastest-growing sport in the world. However, it was made clear to the world that the former professional wrestler had every intention to step into the cage when speaking with UFC commentator Joe Rogan during a live pay-per-view broadcast.
The UFC cage is a sacred place to every fighter who ever put on a pair of four-ounce gloves.
It’s a constant dream for fighters who work their way up from smaller venues to one day make the prideful strut to the Octagon. Top women’s bantamweight contender Cat Zingano cried during her walkout for her first UFC bout. It’s an emotional journey that is paved with blood, sweat and tears.
For fighters like Diaz, Punk’s effortless entry into MMA cheapens the experience.
“I don’t dig it,” Diaz told MMAjunkie.com. “He has got no fights. I know he’s a big draw. I looked him up. Everyone’s going to buy tickets. It’s going to be great for the venue and the UFC, but at the same time, it downgrades all the fighters.”
Diaz also said:
He might do great, but why does he get a chance? He’s an amateur. You’re going to put an amateur in there with pros? That makes us all amateurs, so I think it’s ridiculous. As far as I’m concerned, f–k him, f–k the whole situation.
There are UFC fighters supporting Punk’s efforts.
Matt Mitrione, a former NFL player, entered the UFC with a professional record of 0-0 through The Ultimate Fighter. The heavyweight star has since enjoyed a productive life as a fighter competing against the best in the world.
After hearing of Punk’s signing, he jumped on Twitter and offered complete support for the former WWE star.
For Diaz, the mere idea of someone walking off the streets into the UFC blurs the line between sport and entertainment. Given the same scenario, it is highly unlikely this deal would have played out the same in any other mainstream sport.
An MMA fighter isn’t going to waltz off the streets and go play in the NFL, NBA or MLB. If MMA is ever to be considered a mainstream sport, why should things be any different in the UFC?
“If I want to, I can’t go play in the NBA – not even Stefan Struve’s big ass,” said Diaz. “…I’m over here busting my ass, fighting for 10 years and doing my thing and having a serious job that I have to do for this. And this guy is going to come over and probably get paid more than everyone in the room.”
There has been no word on a fight date or an opponent for Punk’s MMA debut, but the line of UFC hopefuls is piling up like a Black Friday Doorbuster at Best Buy. Even women’s bantamweight contender Lauren Murphy wants in on the action.
Perhaps the most interesting callout came from Jason David Frank, otherwise known as Tommy Oliver from the ’90s television classic Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.
Though the idea of a former Power Ranger fighting a former pro wrestler in the UFC might earn several chuckles, it must be noted that Frank is a lifelong martial artist with a professional MMA record of 1-0 and 4-0 as an amateur.
Diaz probably never stopped to think he could one day be upstaged by a Power Ranger when he signed his UFC contract.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon.
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