PICS: CM Punk completes first sparring session with Roufusport ahead of UFC debut

CM Punk has taken a big step on his journey to learning to the striking game of mixed martial arts.

The former WWE superstar, real name Phil Brooks, has taken part in his first sparring session at Duke Roufus' Roufusport gym. Brooks has no amateur fights, or even wrestling matches, to his name and his only previous martial arts experience came in Jiu-Jitsu, a discipline in which he holds a blue belt. So it will be a baptism of fire for Brooks when it comes to the stand-up department but, according to the Instagram of head coach Duke Roufus, he held his own against first sparring partner, 4-0 welterweight Craig Eckelberg. https://instagram.com/p/zxNVSTM2KN/?modal=true&utm_source=partner&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=photo https://instagram.com/p/zv8ONHM2DL/?modal=true&utm_source=partner&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=photo