CM Punk has been a somewhat contentious figure since joining the UFC in December 2014.
After an oft-maligned build-up and over a year of hpye, the former WWE man secured a $500,000 purse (PPV numbers not inclusive) for his MMA debut at UFC 203, losing via first-round rear-naked choke to Mickey Gall.
Gall, for his success, was paid just $30,000, despite the fact that he was widely tipped to see off the man whose real name is Phil Brooks with consummate ease, and subsequently did.
You can understand, then, how professional MMA fighters, who have poured their souls into their chosen craft for the bones of a career and not just 18 months, would be appalled by the idea of a perceived part-timer earning $3,731 per second simply because he had built a name for himself in the world of sports entertainment.
Nothing against CM Punk make half million for his mma debut.But I think champs should been make that too,people who dedicated a entire life.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) September 12, 2016
Didn't throw or land a single punch and still banks $500K. 🤔
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) September 12, 2016
what a joke
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) September 12, 2016
wwe guy 500k Investment paid every1 but fighters 1 time. 500k could build entire fw division. Invest n wmma not the circus payday fighters
— shop CrisCyborg.com (@criscyborg) September 12, 2016
O cara não deu nem um soco, apanhou por 2 minutos e 💰💰💰🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/hihtHBA0Ab
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) September 12, 2016
By the looks of #ufc203 pay out. Seems like CM PUNK still won.. Lol
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) September 12, 2016
He leveraged his name and contacts for a 500k payday and created a false narrative to seem altruistic. Fuck him https://t.co/PqwfHtjW4K
— FILTHY (@FilthyTomLawlor) September 12, 2016
Everyone giving props to @CMPunk for stepping in the cage and fighting in the @UFC, but damn who wouldn't take that ass beating for $500,000
— kurt holobaugh (@KurtHolobaugh) September 12, 2016
The only thing that makes money right now in this game is numbers. Put asses in seats or starve. #ufc #fightgame
— Kajan Johnson (@IamRagin) September 12, 2016
The UFC's money man himself Conor McGregor was a little more magnanimous in his reaction to Punk's failure/success.
