Matt Riddle has voiced his opinion about CM Punk’s performance in the UFC and doesn’t regard it highly. However, he is of the belief that Chad Gable might fare better in the Octagon with the right training.
In a conversation with “Sportskeeda,” Riddle was questioned about who among the WWE superstars could successfully transition to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. His response was as follows.
“CM Punk would not be a favorable choice. I mean no disrespect. He had a go at it, but it didn’t turn out well. Again, no disrespect intended. Now, if someone like Chad Gable gave jiu-jitsu a shot, I believe he has the potential to be quite good. He could potentially shift lanes to mixed martial arts and rule the arena with his wrestling skills. All he needs is to team up with a few ‘jitz’ specialists, and a few individuals skilled in strikes, and then he’ll have his opponents tapping out on the mat.”
“I can easily picture him and Otis in the ring. I am positive Otis can withstand a punch. He’s the type who can bounce back even after taking a severe beating. Even Angelo Dawkins, considering his wrestling background and exceptional athleticism for his size, is a force to be reckoned with. There are possibly numerous overlooked individuals in the roster who could pose a serious threat in a bare-knuckle street fight.”
Before he transitioned to professional wrestling, Riddle previously fought in the UFC. His contract with WWE concluded in 2023 after being let go as part of the brand’s initial wave of cuts under TKO.
Punk fought in the UFC twice but was defeated in both bouts. He retired from the sport with a 0-1-1 record after one of his opponents tested positive for drug use.
After almost ten years, Punk returned to the WWE in November 2023. He is scheduled to appear in tonight’s edition of SmackDown which is being held in Bologna, Italy.