Matt Riddle doesn’t think too highly of CM Punk’s time with the UFC but believes Chad Gable could succeed in the Octagon with training.
While speaking to “Sportskeeda,” Riddle was asked who he thinks would succeed in a transition from WWE to Mixed Martial Arts. He said,
“Not CM Punk. No disrespect. He tried it and it didn’t go good. No disrespect. Somebody who I think would be really good if he tried jiu-jitsu would be someone like Chad Gable. He could probably transition to mixed martial arts and dominate with his wrestling. If he gets a couple of ‘jitz’ guys and a couple of strikers, then he’ll smash the mat with them.
“I think he and Otis, I’m pretty sure that guy can take a punch. He can take a lickin’ and keep on kickin’. Even Angelo Dawkins, high-level wrestler. For his size, so athletic. There are probably a lot of guys on that roster that people sleep on who would be dangerous on the street.”
Riddle competed in the UFC before transitioning to pro wrestling. He was a part of WWE until 2023 when he was released as part of the first wave of cuts under TKO.
Punk competed twice in the UFC and lost both fights. After one opponent was found to have used drugs, Punk retired with a 0-1-1 record.
Punk returned to WWE in November 2023 after close to a decade away. He will be a part of tonight’s edition of SmackDown in Bologna, Italy.
