CM Punk: The fighter on ‘Evolution of Punk’ isn’t the same one you’ll see at UFC 203

If you’ve been keeping up with "Evolution of Punk" on FS1, you’ve seen a glimpse of just what to expect from CM Punk as he gets set to make his much-anticipated mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at UFC 203 on Sept. 10, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio, against Mickey Gall.

Or have you?

According to Punk -- real name Phil Brooks — what you’re seeing on the television show is in the past and isn’t indicative of where he is at today. And if people are judging him on what they see there, they are in for a rude awakening come fight night.

That’s because Punk revealed during a recent media conference call (audio replay here) that he has improved drastically since the taping of show, which was pre-back surgery and many other setbacks.

"It’s a correct depiction of where I was at when it was shot. That was pre-back surgery, walking around with a herniated disk, 15-percent power in my left leg," said Punk.

"It’s like me watching one of Mickey’s fights and expecting to fight that guy. Mickey trains his ass off and he trains with a good team. He’s not going to be the same guy he was in his last fight just like I’m not going to be the same guy you saw on a television show."

Regarding the criticism itself, the former WWE star says it doesn’t bother him one bit.

"I wouldn’t say it’s unfair, life is unfair. But you can’t listen to what somebody on the internet is saying about you, you know? If you dig hard enough, you will find negative stuff about everybody," he declared. "I’m a positive guy and I know what I’m good at and I know what I am going to be good at. What I did a year and a half ago does not matter to me."

And while Punk knows many are expecting him to get "starched in 30 seconds," his confidence has not wavered.

And for those that think Punk dabbling in MMA is a one-shot deal, the ex-wrestler says it isn’t so, as his UFC contract has plenty of fights on it.

To get up-to-speed with all of the happenings for UFC 203 click here. And to catch up with all episodes of "Evolution of Punk," click here, here, and here.