A new FOX Sports article suggests that CM Punk may have a difficult time being licensed for his UFC debut. The report quotes the heads of the New Jersey and Nevada state athletic commissions, both of whom said that they would have concerns about licensing someone without fighting experience.

“We would really have to look at this very closely,” said New Jersey athletic commission head Larry Hazzard. “We would have to take a close look at it. Normally, we require some type of background as either an amateur or a professional. This would certainly raise a red flag.”

NSAC executive director Bob Bennett added, “I would say that it would behoove him to get some amateur fights. Get some amateur fights and get some experience.”

That's garbage.

What about Kimbo, did the backyard fights count as amateur? Maybe, seeing as neither is paid.

You have to get your ass kicked for free before you can get paid to have it kicked!

If anything it would be good for Punk to get some amateur fights under his wing. Either way he is going to get his bell rung. This is something Phil shouldn't take lightly just because he is good a Jiu-jitsu. There are people I know who are black belts in Jiu-jitsu but would get their asses handed to them if they step into UFC. From here and until his first fight he needs to practice practice practice on his striking, ground and pound and grappling every day.

It would be dumb for Punk to take any amateur fights because right now half the wrestling fan base wants to see him get his ass kicked under the assumption he's an untrained idiot. If he goes and whoops up on some nobodies (And he would) the fans dying to see him "get his ass beat" wouldn't be as likely to pay to watch the fight.

If UFC is going to give him a couple of cupcakes, the MMA fans will believe he is nothing but a joke because he isn't facing legit fighters. This isn't some small company like Batista fought for, this is the biggest MMA company.

Well considering MMA fans aren't buying anything anyway, I don't think that matters. MMA purists can be upset if they want, but Dana White is "stooping to this level" because MMA fans aren't buying UFC PPVs. MMA fans aren't buying UFC PPVs because there are about three or four real stars/draws in the UFC right now and, unlike with WWE, you need two draws to have a fight draw a big number.

Punk's fight, regardless of who it's against, will be a top five draw for the company for the year, possibly the number one PPV of the year.

I think maybe they will draw some killer numbers with Punk...

but if Punk does go up against a Cupcake...and the cupcake beats Punk...there goes the appeal of Punk for the UFC.

Yeah, which is exactly why his first fight NEEDS to be on PPV, not some local bullshit.

But with that being said...that means there could be a possibility that UFC could only get one good PPV out of him. If he gets his ass kicked the first fight and it keeps happening, then where can you get money from that? Instead of a one and done, he really needs to get the feel of what a MMA fight is like. He is going out of his element on this first fight and it can turn really ugly for him even against a Cupcake. I say it would be best for him to get a few smaller fights under his wing before getting his PPV debut.

Brock got owned in his first UFC fight

Brock made a rookie mistake in his fight with Mir. If you look back, Brock was winning the feet. Mir being the veteran caught Brock's leg.