The UFC has signed Phil “CM Punk” Brooks. Brooks is a long time fan of the sport and an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, training at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California under Rener and Ryron Gracie.
The former WWE superstar has stated interest in competing in mixed martial arts in the past, and it look like that will come to fruition sometime in 2015.
The news of Brooks’ signing with the UFC was broke in an interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan during the UFC 181 pay-per-view broadcast. Brooks stated that he will either compete in the Middleweight or Welterweight division pending a test weight cut.
The 36 year old Brooks will also soon announce where he will be doing his mixed martial arts training.
“This is my new career, 100-percent,” said Brooks. “I’m going to go full steam ahead, all systems go after today, and it’s going to be fun. I have nothing but respect for everybody here at the UFC, everybody who steps in the Octagon to fight. And when it’s all said and done, when I’m finished, everybody’s going to have to respect me because I have come here to fight.”
“I felt like it was now or never. I have a limited window most fighters don’t have. I’m either here to win or get my ass kicked.” [source]