Bobby Lashley Talks CM Punk Joining UFC

Current Bellator MMA and TNA star Bobby Lashley was recently interviewed by Ring Rust Radio. The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion talked about TNA’s upcoming debut on Destination America, his MMA career, and much more. One of the more interesting topics that Lashley discussed was CM Punk signing a multi-fight deal with UFC.

Below are Lashley’s words on the subject:

“My jump was after I left pro-wrestling. I still had that competitive edge and felt like I was in great physical shape without too many miles on my body. I felt like I could go through training camps and be able to be healthy. So when I got out I jumped right into it. I think the big factor is getting into a good camp. I was in a good camp where they said, ‘Bobby we know you are a pro-wrestler and now you are in our room. We aren’t going to baby you. We’re going to go after you like we would anyone else.’ I think that’s good and it helps keep me honest and humble at the same time.”

“As far as the other side, I have been torn about this whole CM Punk thing. I am getting torn hard both ways. I can understand it from the fighter’s point of view but at the same time I can see it from CM Punk’s point of view. As soon as he did it, I went online and told him, ‘Congratulations and do what you want to do’ because that’s what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter if people think he is ready or not, if he says he is going to do it then it’s him that is going to have to step in that cage. That is where I take my hat off to him and respect him for it. It’s going to be harder for him without having that extensive background to be able to do it. So I take my hat off to him and as a friend, a co-worker, I just tell him to make sure to bust your ass before going out there because once that cage door closes it’s real. There’s so many people that sit off on the side, that armchair quarterback and say, ‘I took a jujitsu class I had a couple fights on the street.’ It is completely different. It’s a physical chess match and you have to have all your pieces of the game intact before going in there.”

“CM Punk is a very intelligent guy, and there is no way he would have made it to the level where he is now unless he was a very intelligent guy. This move was very calculated and he knows what the next step is and the one after that. Or if he doesn’t know he is going to have the right people around him to tell him. Man, I am going to tune into that fight and everyone else is so it’s good for everyone. It’s a win-win situation.”

Be sure to read the entire interview, here.

Editor’s Note

Good perspective from Lashley, who is well-experienced in MMA and professional wrestling.