Joe Rogan: Alright ladies and gentlemen, I am here with none other than CM Punk. If you are a fan of professional wrestling, you know this man, but your wrestling days are over – you have decided to enter the octagon and fight mixed martial arts professionally.

CM Punk: Yeah, well, I’d say my professional wrestling days are over, I’m sure I’ll have to do lots of wrestling in there! It’s very awesome to be here. It’s very awesome to be here.

JR: How long — I know you’ve been training with Rener and Ryron Gracie for quite a while, you’ve been around the UFC for quite a while. How long have you been contemplating this, and what ultimately influenced your decision?

CM: You know, this is something that’s been in the back of my mind for a very, very long time. I have a background in kenpo. I’ve done Brazilian jiu-jitsu off and on for a very, very long time. But the idea of being able to step in the Octagon and find out what’s inside myself and test myself is an opportunity I was not able to deny myself. I don’t think I would be able to live myself — live with myself — if I didn’t give this a shot.

JR: So is this something that, watching people like Brock Lesnar become very successful in the UFC; seeing all the fights, seeing it live, you just felt like it’s just now or never, you only have a certain amount of time in this life.

CM: Yeah, I mean, I felt like it was now or never about three years ago. I resigned with the WWE, and I tried to give that the old college try, and it is now or never for me. I have a limited window just like all fighters do and I fully intend to get in there, and I’m here for a fight; I’m either here to get my ass kicked, or kick somebody’s ass.

JR: Now is this a one-time adventure, or are you considering this as your new career?

CM: No, this is my new career, 100%. 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 in the UFC, everybody who steps into the octagon to fight. When all is said and done, when I’m finished, everybody is going to have to respect me, because I have come here to fight.

JR: And what weight will you be competing at?

CM: That is something that is up in the air, you know, most likely middleweight? I’m going to do a test weight cut, see how I feel, and the option, I think, for welterweight might be there, but certainly not light-heavyweight.

JR: And what camp will you be training out of, who will you be training with for this?

CM: That’s something you’re going to have to stay tuned for. You know, I’ve talked to a few people, but I didn’t want to tip my hat as to why I was actually enquiring with certain camps, I didn’t want to give it away; I wanted to make sure today was like the launch. Now that this is public, you’ll probably find out very soon where I’m going to go.

JR: Well this is very exciting, it’s very gutsy of you to do.
CM: I’m very excited!

JR: I can tell you’re very thrilled! I’m excited to call your fight, I can’t wait to see you inside there, and good luck to you sir.

CM: Luck is for losers Joe Rogan, thank you very much!

JR: Luck is for losers says CM Punk! I’ll take as much luck as I can get!