Former WWE Champion CM Punk Announces He's Going To UFC

The announcement comes just one month short of the professional wrestler's one year anniversary of his infamous departure from WWE.

Almost one year after abruptly walking out of the WWE, 36-year-old professional wrestler CM Punk has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White announced on Saturday night during UFC 181 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

instagram.com

CM Punk appeared ringside with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, saying "I have a limited window like all fighters do, and I'm here for a fight... This is my new career, 100%."

UFC

Punk's announcement comes just one week after he appeared on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast and spoke openly about his departure from WWE.

#UFC181 @ufc

Welcome to the UFC @CMPunk! See you in 2015!

Sun Dec 07 03:36:12 UTC+0000 2014

The announcement caused quite the stir online, with tweets from fellow wrestling stars, such as Lance Storm, The Iron Sheik, and his close friend Colt Cabana.

Lance Storm @LanceStorm

Got to respect @CMPunk for having the balls to do what he wants. Win or lose if he steps into the cage his a bigger man than most. #UFC

Sun Dec 07 03:47:42 UTC+0000 2014

The Iron Sheik @the_ironsheik

CM PUNK SHOCK THE WORLD BUBBA

Sun Dec 07 03:41:50 UTC+0000 2014

Colt Cabana @ColtCabana

FUCK! ... Now I gotta learn how to hold one of those flags over an octagon.

03:54 AM - 07 Dec 2014

It's not known when in 2015 CM Punk will make his UFC debut, but he will be following in the footsteps of current WWE champion Brock Lesnar.

WWE

Brock Lesnar left the WWE in 2004 and went on to the UFC, where he won their World Heavyweight Championship in 2008. Lesnar returned to the WWE in 2012.