Morning Report: Back surgery or not, Matt Brown doesn't think CM Punk is cut out to fight

"What's his name? That f**king wrestler guy. That f**king punk guy. He's injured now. He's puss-ing out again."

If you can't tell, UFC welterweight Matt Brown isn't the biggest CM Punk fan.

Punk underwent a surgical procedure Wednesday due to a herniated disc and Brown can certainly relate.

Brown was forced to withdraw from a 2013 bout with Carlos Condit for the same injury. The difference being that Brown didn't require surgery.

"It's a f**king horrible thing when it happens," Brown explained on FOX Sports' Great MMA Debate podcast. "I'm going to guess that he already got the epidural steroid injection. They put it down your spine to relieve the inflammation. If not, I don't think he would have been walking. If it's bad enough he's having surgery I don't know that he would have been walking into the cage like that [on Feb. 6]. It's possible he just gutted it out and walked up there.

"Regardless, that's bad. I didn't have to get surgery and that s**t is never the same. When you get surgery it's never the same again."

Brown says it took him eight weeks to get back up to speed in the gym after his injury in 2013 and has his doubts about Punk ever making the walk.

"This guy, he aint no fighter," said Brown. "People don't understand what it's like sitting in that locker room for two to three hours knowing a guy down the hall is going to try to f**king murder you. That feeling in indescribable. The nerves, people call it fear. That feeling is not to be envied. Personally, I do envy it but that's what separates a fighter from everyone else.

"Conquering that fear takes something different than I think most people have and I question whether CM Punk has that or not."

Punk learned he'd be fighting 2-0 Mickey Gall after the 24-year-old scored a 45-second submission win at UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brown says the staged staredown in the Octagon told him a lot about the 37-year-old rookie.

"Now he's got to face this kid in the ring right after," said Brown. "You could see there wasn't any showmanship on CM Punk all of a sudden. There wasn't any s**t talking, no flashiness. All of sudden it's this humble guy and reality is setting in when you're facing your opponent for the first time. It's looking at you in the face. That's only going to grow as the fight gets closer.

"In the locker room, that's when it all comes to fruition. All that s**t creeps into your mind. Mark Coleman calls it 'the worm of doubt.' That kind of s**t? I don't know if CM Punk is made for that. I don't think pro wrestling gets you ready for that."

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The MMA Beat. The panel discusses Yoel Romero's provisional suspension, CM Punk's injury, what to do with Robbie Lawler next, Jon Jones' issue with the media and more.

'I'm not a liar.' Anderson Silva still claims he "never used any sort of PED."

Scrum. Michael Bisping discusses squaring off against Anderson Silva, Silva's past and more with the media.

Ramping up. Urijah Faber responds to Dominick Cruz's jabs over Team Alpha Male's issues and vows to "break the glass champ."

A lot more content. UFC Fight Pass adds GLORY kickboxing, Eddie Bravo Invitational jiu-jitsu, and K-1 to its library.

MEDIA STEW

Anderson Silva

Bisping and Silva had an awkward showdown.

Poor, poor Ben Askren.

Dan Hardy talks movement training in MMA.

Tyron Woodley doesn't like Conor McGregor's chances at welterweight.

RIP.

Long watches.

Audio tape of Edmond Tarverdyan answering questions under oath about his employment, training income, ownership of Glendale Fighting Club, and more in two different bankruptcy hearings last year.

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TWEETS

RIP.

So extremely sad to hear about the passing of Kevin Randleman. Truly one of the legends of (cont) https://t.co/LedD3Xo48T

— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) February 12, 2016

A lot of respect for the " Monster " Kevin Randelman , for what he did for the sport .
Rest in... https://t.co/h2s8S0PFPz

— Rodrigo Nogueira (@Minotauromma) February 12, 2016

pic.twitter.com/5kWb3cyHoO

— Wes Sims (@wessimsmma) February 12, 2016

Kevin my friend , my sorrows swell and my heart sinks as the sun sets on our journey. I embrace... https://t.co/xhDqCsQ5XX

— Randy Couture (@Randy_Couture) February 12, 2016

RIP Kevin be in peace! O mundo do mma ficou mais triste morreu o Kevin! Q surpresa triste ! Vai paz guerreiro ! https://t.co/r9Qpk9ZTVD

— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) February 12, 2016

Damn I cornered him this fight. Sad to hear the news. RIP my friend. #Repost @jakeshieldsajj... https://t.co/4tovHVvE8w

— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) February 12, 2016

Rip Kevin

— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) February 12, 2016

So Sad about passing of kevin Randleman
He have been through so much#RIP #Warrior ##Legend

— Matt Lindland (@mattlindland) February 12, 2016

We heard its confirmed, Kevin Randleman passed away. This is the worst news. Condolences to Elizabeth and their kids, RIP my friend

— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) February 12, 2016

Just heard that the MMA community lost a great fighter tonight at only 44 yrs old. RIP Kevin Randleman. Prayers go out to his family.

— Rich Franklin (@RichFranklin) February 12, 2016

Rest in peace Randleman... "Monster" https://t.co/feCT3AivJi

— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) February 12, 2016

My heart goes out to Kevin Randleman's family. I had the pleasure to train, know & watch one of the pioneers of... https://t.co/GaoViq38F0

— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) February 12, 2016

Randelmen was an inspiration to me and luckily I was able to be his friend as well. RIP https://t.co/ji7BVGmvcK

— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) February 12, 2016

Kevin Randleman picked me up & put me on his shoulder after my first fight. Made me feel like a hero. RIP to a Monster w/ a heart of gold.

— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) February 12, 2016

Rip to my boy #kevinrandleman https://t.co/mcIg9bRDQr

— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) February 12, 2016

So sad to hear of the passing of Kevin Randleman. I only met him a few times but he was a great man, and one of the true pioneers. R.I.P

— michael (@bisping) February 12, 2016

This dude was so cool! I remember he walked into a room in Vegas with a bunch of us young... https://t.co/Z2wBRMFaYv

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) February 12, 2016

To think I just spent Sunday watching the Super Bowl with @themonstah_ and @jerviscole ... God speed pal RIP

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) February 12, 2016

A sad day for the world of MMA as we've lost one of the pioneers of the sport, RIP my friend!! pic.twitter.com/F6PlS2vrna

— Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo) February 12, 2016

Beef.

Just had a conversation with Anderson in ENGLISH, yet he always has a translator. The most fake limp dick liar you'll ever meet.

— michael (@bisping) February 12, 2016

Who?....what?? Every1 always has something to say, they always have a "plan" until they get hit in the damn mouth! https://t.co/61l4llPfkV

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 11, 2016

@CarlaEsparza1 @ufc I have yet to sign a bout agreement and lord knows I'd rather sign one with your name on it

— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) February 11, 2016

Let's make it happen then. https://t.co/c7y0Qi31Kh

— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 11, 2016

@wilsonreis7 vs @JoeJitsu April ? May? That will be a sick fight !!! @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc @ufc_brasil

— Wilson Reis (@wilsonreis7) February 11, 2016

Yes. I'm ready. Let's do it. https://t.co/3TGjwStpOV

— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) February 11, 2016

@WhOopassWilliE @IridiumSports @seanshelby @ufc I'm the bum ? your welcome this tweet will get you some more pic.twitter.com/SZhacuEbyL

— Patrick Holohan (@PaddyHolohanMMA) February 11, 2016

I may not move the needle but I moved his brain enough to make him call time like a game of pick up basketball pic.twitter.com/H4G2i9SNO9

— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) February 11, 2016

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— Bigslow (@LukeBarnatt) February 11, 2016

Confused beef.

I AM COMING @JoshLBarnett THE PACT IS OVER

— MAYHEM MILLER IND. (@mayhemmiller) February 11, 2016

Fine. Be that way. https://t.co/SAJwUnE3zz

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) February 11, 2016

Buds.

@shamrockken Happy Birthday, to many more. Looking forward to watching you KO Gracie. #belllatorMMA #shamrockway

— Frank Shamrock (@frankshamrock) February 12, 2016

Great to be training at my friend's academy again! House of the bjj phenon Marcelo Garcia! Great... https://t.co/IKPnQRrEZR

— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) February 12, 2016

Just grubbed w @danny__woodhead @greenbellyOmaha so healthy & good. The dirty grey beanie was a coincidence #omaha pic.twitter.com/IVaZ0Y7olv

— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) February 11, 2016

Needs more steak.

Get well soon.

Having fun lol pic.twitter.com/o7vNjkBDbT

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) February 11, 2016

Anderson's workout

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 11 2016)

Kendall Grove vs. Francisco France at Bellator 150

Filip Pejic vs. Damian Stasiak at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Rothwell

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.