Find out what Phil 'CM Punk' Brooks told the man he'll face inside the UFC Octagon
Phil "CM Punk" Brooks had a clear thought Saturday night in Las Vegas as he watched the man he's now set to face in his MMA debut win via first-round submission. "That has got to be a great feeling," he told FOX Sports' Ariel Helwani, backstage after Mickey Gall choked Michael Jackson out in 45 seconds on the UFC Fight Night undercard.
"Very impressive. That's how I want to win a fight -- no damage. That has to be a great feeling. I'll find out after I beat Mickey Gall."
Even before Gall got to complete his in-ring, post-fight interview with Jon Anik, UFC matchmaker and vice president Joe Silva ushered Brooks in behind him for a staredown. Silva tried to convince the Brooks, nattily-dressed in a dark blue suit and tie, to ball his hands into fists and raise them towards Gall but instead the two only exchanged quiet words, polite grins and handshakes.
According to Brooks, there was no trash talk exchanged in those moments. "He seemed to be having fun, and that's what I asked him," he continued.
"I'm having fun, it looked like he was having fun [so] I wanted to ask him ... that's what this is all about. That's why we're here.
"I think you can kind of lose yourself in the seriousness of it all before you get to the fight."
Brooks didn't get much scouting time with Gall, because the 24-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt won so fast. He insisted that it made no difference to him, however.
"I'm kind of indifferent," he claimed.
"I know what he does ... I don't care how hard somebody hits. I try at all costs to avoid getting hit, anyway."
