wrestling / News

Bellator CEO Says Ryback Conversation Was “Very Brief,” Talks Punk’s UFC Future

September 28, 2016 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Scott Coker spoke on the latest Bischoff on Wrestling podcast about rumors of Ryback signing with the company, CM Punk’s UFC future and more. Audio and highlights are below:

On Bellator’s conversation with Ryback: “I can comment on it and really it’s a very short conversation because their management did reach out. We had a very brief conversation. I’m not sure where it’s at but I don’t think it went very far. If they don’t have some type of background in either jiu-jitsu or collegiate wrestling or tai boxing or a combat sports background… it’s tough for them. It’s like someone from a martial arts background trying to be a pro wrestler. If you’re not schooled and don’t go through the education process of how to do it then you’re going to have a hard time. I think that’s what you saw with the CM Punk situation.”

On Dana White saying that CM Punk “probably shouldn’t have his next fight in the UFC”: “I think he [Punk]’s in a tough situation. He fought on a pretty big card and fought a pretty tough kid. It’s back to the drawing board in my opinion. He’s going to have to go back and really think about whether he wants to continue fighting. If he does he’s got to stay at Duke’s gym and keep training. Maybe another year from now or eighteen months from now he can try it again. To think it’s going to be any other outcome fighting a guy of that caliber in any league I think is irresponsible.”