CM Punk Says He Is Not Bothered By Criticism

CM Punk did an interview with MMAJunkie to promote his upcoming fight at UFC 225 against Mike Jackson. He also talked about his case with the WWE, criticism from fans, and more. Here are some highlights from the interview:

CM Punk on whether the suit from WWE distracted him from focusing on his upcoming UFC fight:

“A very broad answer, is it didn’t (distract me). I knew it was coming, and they delayed it as long as possible, because I think they knew (I had a fight scheduled). I think the general consensus is, ‘Wow, this is really going to mess with him.’

“I’m a different breed, though. I was planning for it. and we worked around it, and all the hard work was done anyway, so easy-peasy. … It feels like more than a load off my shoulders. It still hasn’t sunk in, and it probably won’t for a while, but I’m happy it’s over.”

On getting criticism from fans:

“I could give a (expletive) if they watch or not. Don’t watch. If you bought the Kiss album that came out before they took their makeup off and they don’t like it, don’t buy the (expletive) album where they take their makeup off. It’s a gimmick. Don’t watch. But you’re still going to go complain about it on Twitter. It’s none of my business what you think of me. I don’t care. I think people’s perception of me is that I have a huge (ego). I really don’t think I do. You called me a superstar, and I don’t view myself through that lens at all. At all. I get it. I did some stuff. Whatever. But when it comes to all the stuff that maybe MMA fans think matter, being on the pay-per-view, being on the poster – I’m like, whatever. If I can fight earlier, I’d like to fight earlier because I try not to train at 9 o’clock at night, and I’d be showered and elbow deep in a pizza and a pint of ice cream before y’all get in the building. So why are y’all mad?”

On his strategy for his fight with Mike Jackson:

“I see myself taking my time and getting a little comfortable. I think that was a big thing. I just kind of need to get in there for a couple seconds and bounce around and just be in the octagon for a little bit. I think last time I thought, ‘Well the quicker I start, the quicker it’s over.’ I was kind of right. This time it’s going to be a little bit different. I’m just going to take my time, make sure I’m doing a lot of the little things the right way, orient myself to where I’m at, find my coaches and make sure I can hear them. Then just take it slow. The object from that point is to have fun.”

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