CM Punk is working damn hard to make a career for himself in the UFC.
We know that because he himself has told anyone who will listen, and we saw a training montage that shows that he's only gone and gotten ripped since joining up with Roufusport gym in Milwaukee (where UFC star Anthony Pettis also trains), but now someone who works with the former WWE superstar on a daily basis has confirmed that Punk is grinding away in the gym to better himself.
UFC fighter Dustin Ortiz is fighting Willie Gates at UFC Fight Night in Nashville this Saturday, and he's been training with CM Punk and his other Roufusport teammates in preparation for that fight. He recently took the time out to praise Punk for his work ethic in the gym:
It's cool to have him there. He shows up early and stays late. He's doing privates with the coaches, which is awesome. He's really putting in the time and effort. He's a cool dude. He's part of the team and that's how I see it and he fit right in. He brings a new aspect to the UFC and the UFC's always growing. He adds that grow factor.
The announcement that CM Punk would sign with the UFC was met with a harsh backlash on social media from both fans and even fighters, but Ortiz revealed that he had no preconceptions about Punk when he first rolled into the gym which lead to them developing a good working relationship:
I never really had an opinion of him. I'm not going to judge a guy I don't know. So he came in and I just introduced myself like I would anybody and started our relationship that way.
He's your average guy and his heart feels like he wants to try this out so more power to him. Just like anybody else trying to be a fighter. They see the UFC and the success that's available there and he wants a part of it so come on in and get your hands dirty.
So he didn't judge him without knowing him, allowed him to get on with the work in the gym, and now he's impressed with his work ethic? Shouldn't everybody have just done that in the first place?
We're still not sure when we will get to see CM Punk in the Octagon, but one thing is for sure, a lot of people are going to tune in to see it.
via FoxSports.com
