5 things to expect with CM Punk now in the UFC

It's clobberin' time.

Since he made his debut on the ECW brand of WWE on July 4, 2006, that has been the phrase CM Punk has yelled as he began his walk to the ring. Sometime in 2015, he'll make that long walk to the UFC octagon, looking to do some legitimate clobbering.

It will be months before Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" - or perhaps AFI's "Miseria Cantare," his entrance music from his Ring of Honor days - ushers him to his first professional mixed martial arts bout. That's when the biggest question will be answered: Can CM Punk (real name Phil Brooks) actually fight? But in the months leading up to his debut, the MMA universe will learn plenty.

Here are five things to expect now that the five-time WWE world champion is officially a UFC fighter:

Heavyweight promotion

Look, Dana White didn't sign one of the most recognizable WWE wrestlers and risk public ridicule to have him quietly debut on the undercard of a pay-per-view or for free on television. Punk is a marketable guy, this is a marketable story and the UFC is largely in the marketing business.

Specifically, you can probably expect to see commercials for Punk's debut where you wouldn't normally find UFC spots. The UFC and WWE don't exist in entirely separate consciousnesses. As much as Vince McMahon would have you believe they're not competitors, the UFC will want to reach out beyond their normal marketing channels to draw in additional viewers, whether they be WWE fans, lapsed UFC fans or just interested would-be observers.

Punk is going to be in your face a lot. Get used to that mug.

An equal adversary on the mic

While Punk and his story are enough to sell his first fight alone, it would seem a waste to have the charismatic Punk square off against someone who can't match him in the interview room. 

There don't need to be dueling WWE-style promos in the middle of the octagon, but you'd think the UFC would want someone who can also help sell the fight - in commercials, in the almost-sure-to-exist pre-fight mini-series and in general media rounds leading up to the bout.

A popped buyrate

This is more of the first point, but Punk is going to move the needle, full stop. Even if an 0-0 "fake" wrestler getting a spot directly on pay-per-view will rub some purists wrong, this is going to bring additional eyeballs to the product, just like Brock Lesnar did before Punk.

Possibly helping matters in drawing WWE crossover fans is that the WWE has moved away from its standard pay-per-view model. With the company now offering an over-the-top service that includes pay-per-view events for just $10-per-month, the competition for pay-per-view dollars is now lessened. Even if the UFC were to (shortsightedly) put Punk's debut the night before a WWE event (which run on Sundays), a WWE fan is no longer necessarily faced with an expensive decision between two prohibitively priced events.

Of course, his opponent may not be anyone you've ever heard of, as White is on record saying that Punk will fight someone with a similarly thin professional track record. Or, maybe it will be a Power Ranger.

Talking stand up, walking BJJ

Punk was quick to remind Joe Rogan that he has a background in Kenpo on Saturday, and Punk's WWE in-ring style was predicated largely on a Muay Thai-like offense. With a full training camp underneath his belt, Punk will surely warn that he's an all-around fighter and willing to stand up and take his licks in the striking game.

In reality, Punk's biggest skill out of the gate is going to be his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, thanks to his training relationship with the Gracie family. Without an amateur wrestling background, Punk could be susceptible to takedowns, but that may play to a strength on his back.

Bellator will try to respond

Most of the initial reaction has come from those within the UFC (and Ben Askren ... obviously), but the biggest response may still come from competing organization Bellator.

Bellator already employs Bobby Lashley (12-2), formerly of WWE and currently of the wrestling promotion TNA. They've also apparently made overtures to recently-departed former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio (9-5, with an infamous loss to Mirko Cro Cop in 2003) and former UFC Heavyweight champion and current WWE champion Brock Lesnar (5-3).

Bellator is owned by Viacom and have a television outlet in SpikeTV, and president Scott Coker hasn't been shy that he wants to employ some professional wrestling promotional techniques to pique interest in his product. The UFC would have the pockets to outbid for Lesnar should they so choose, but expect Bellator to bring in the odd WWE-retread from time to time as a result.