LAS VEGAS — Former professional wrestler C.M. Punk has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC, and he intends to make his mixed martial arts debut in 2015.

C.M. Punk is the stage name of 36-year-old Phil Brooks, a career pro wrestler who became one of the WWE’s biggest stars in recent years before falling out with the company.

Although Brooks has gym experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts with a member of the vaunted Gracie family, he has never fought an MMA bout. That didn’t deter him from signing with the world’s dominant MMA promotion, and UFC President Dana White welcomes the publicity and pay-per-view sales to be generated from Brooks’ arrival.