CM Punk: ‘I’ll be OK taking real punches”

“I suppose the easy answer to what Brock’s shortcomings were that he probably needed to spar more. Everyone always likes to say Brock hated getting hit in the face. I don’t know who likes getting hit in the face, but I guess he did need to work on his stand-up defense. “

“You get punched in the nose, your eyes water. When it happens, will I turn around and run? No, that’s not going to happen. I’m going to do my best to avoid that punch, but if it lands, I’ll be OK.”

“I definitely think it is a gut-check moment for anyone. When you get smashed in the face for the first time, whether it’s in the schoolyard or a sanctioned boxing match, I think you find something out about yourself. Some people run. Some people will stand there. Some people will say, ‘That wasn’t bad,’ while others will say, ‘That was awful,’ but they’ll still stand in the pocket.

“I think it’s about finding out what’s inside of you. I’ve already had it in the schoolyard, in the gym, in the ring. It’s happened a lot.”

During a recent chat with ESPN, CM Punk discussed making his UFC debut and how he’s ready to get hit, hard, in the face.

Thoughts?