TMZ SPORTS — Jack Swagger and CM Punk are former WWE World Heavyweight Champions turned MMA fighters … but that’s where the similarities end, ’cause Swagger tells TMZ Sports when he fights, he ain’t losing.
Big facts … Swagger — real name Jake Hager — was a pro wrestling superstar. But, he was also a stud on the wrestling mats in college — earning All-American honors at Oklahoma in ’06.
That’s precisely why 6’7″, 265 lb Swagger says when he steps into the cage to fight J.W. Kiser at Bellator 214 on January 26 … he’ll look NOTHING like Punk — who got destroyed in both of his UFC fights.
“I’m different for so many reasons,” Swagger told us … “I’ve been wrestling since I was 5 years old, bro.”
“I have over 150 Division 1 college wrestling matches, and I’m gonna rely on that as my amateur MMA and boxing career to help when the anxiety kicks in.”
Punk — who lasted less than 3 minutes before Mickey Gall almost choked the life outta him — had no prior combat experience before signing with the UFC at 36-years-old … no real wrestling, boxing or jiu-jitsu experience to lean on.
“I think the biggest thing that you’re gonna see is the difference between me and him is that I am prepared. I am 100% prepared to take this fight, to go into that Octagon, go in that cage and inflict my will on anybody.”
Read more: https://www.tmz.com/2019/01/13/jack-swagger-wwe-bellator-fighter-cm-punk-ufc-wwe/
