UPDATEDx4: CM Punk Signs With UFC

UPDATEDx4: PWInsider reports that CM Punk and UFC have been in talks for quite some time, and it is very possible that the two sides have had a deal in place for awhile and were only waiting for Punk to be legally free from WWE, which happened on 10/26, before moving forward.

UPDATEDx3: CM Punk issued a statement regarding his signing with UFC to UFC.com.

“I have a background in kempo and I’ve been doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a long time,” Punk said. “This is my new career, 100-percent. 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.”

“My professional wrestling days are over, it’s awesome to be here,” he added. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. 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.”

UPDATEDx2: Here is a Vine video of CM Punk hyping his UFC future.

UPDATED: Here is video of CM Punk’s announcement at UFC 181.

ORIGINAL: Another pro wrestler is coming to the UFC.

UFC announced the signing of Phil “CM Punk” Brooks to a multi-fight deal tonight at UFC 181. Punk, 36, is expected to debut in 2015.

“This is something that’s been in the back of my mind for a very, very long time,” Punk told UFC’s Joe Rogan. He noted he had trained in both Kenpo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

“The idea of being able to step inside the Octagon and find out what’s inside myself and test myself is an opportunity that I was not able to deny myself,” he continued. “I don’t think I would be able to live with myself if I didn’t give this a shot.”

Punk has yet to decide whether he will compete at middleweight or welterweight. In order to keep his signing a secret, he neglected to find a training camp to align with.

Punk became a free agent following an October settlement with WWE, where he was a multi-time world champion, and garnered interest from both UFC and Bellator MMA. UFC has a long history of pro wrestlers competing in its cage, including Brock Lesnar, Ken Shamrock, and Dan Severn. Among those, Punk is notable for his lack of background in athletic competition prior to joining the UFC.