Roddy Piper on CM Punk's UFC aspirations: 'That's what a man's made out of'

'Rowdy' Roddy Piper might be one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever, but he also knows a thing or two about martial arts. Piper, real name Roderick Toombs, has a black belt in judo under 'Judo' Gene LeBell and his son Colt Toombs has dabbled in the sport of MMA. Roddy is also the guy that gave current UFC wrecking machine Ronda Rousey his blessing to use his nickname. So if he has something to say about wrestlers crossing over to MMA, he might have some knowledge on the subject.

In that vein, MMA Junkie spoke to Piper at WrestleMania 31 (where Rousey made a memorable appearance) about CM Punk's foray from the WWE over to the UFC, and he has nothing but praise for the 36-year-old:

"I didn’t know that he was proficient in martial arts before that. Then I saw him with one of the Gracies – he did a video. You know what? I give him all the respect in the world. I love the guy and he’s got the courage to leave someplace where you have millions of dollars and to go on and try something else. That’s what a man’s made out of. How he’ll do there? You know, we’ll all watch. He’s a smart kid and I think he’ll do great."

Punk, real name Phil Brooks, is currently training at Roufusport and is expected to make his UFC debut near the end of 2015.