CM Punk pegged as big betting favorite in potential MMA bout with Floyd Mayweather

Yes, you read that headline correctly. And yes, it is a ridiculous headline. But the fact is that we suddenly live in a world where undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and former professional wrestling star CM Punk might just clamber into the cage together for a weird throwback to the halcyon days of legal groin strikes and one-gloved fighters.

Sure, this fight is incredibly unlikely to occur. If it does occur, however, expect CM Punk to walk into the cage as the betting favorite. Yes, despite a 0-1 MMA record, and the fact he’s only been training for a few years, the oddsmakers at sportsbook BetDSI.com believe he would beat the greatest boxer of our generation in a mixed martial arts bout.

Punk has been identified as a big favorite at -300. This means that it would take a successful $300 bet on the pro wrestling transplant to earn $100. Mayweather, meanwhile, is a +220 underdog – an unthinkable reality throughout most of his boxing career. This means that a successful $100 bet on him would earn you $220.

Speaking to BloodyElbow.com, a representative from BetDSI explained the logic behind these lines.

“If they fought in UFC, Punk would probably destroy him. Punk’s size will come into play, and he’s been grappling with high level guys for some time now. He’ll get the fight to the floor and finish Floyd. Punk via ground.”

As strange as it is to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. labelled as an underdog in a fight, there’s some sound reasoning there. Punk has been training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin alongside monsters like Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren for several years. He was also recently awarded his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – no small feat. So, it’s very possible that, in an MMA fight, he would promptly take Mayweather down and submit him. Who knows… hopefully we never find out for sure.

What do you think of the odds for a Floyd Mayweather vs. CM Punk MMA fight?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/14/2018.