As Phil Brooks, also known as CM Punk, prepares for his mixed martial arts (MMA) and UFC debut at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, there are questions regarding how he'll perform on the world's most elite stage of the sport.

There's also a question of how Brooks has been granted a professional license to fight in the state.

According to an issue first raised by Combat Sports Law, Ohio Administrative Code 3773-7-20(E) requires a fighter seeking licensure in Ohio to have at least five amateur bouts and a winning record in those contests. However, a fighter "may appeal to the executive director or Ohio athletic commission to have this waived."

Requirements for licensure can vary widely state to state. However, Brooks, who has no competitive athletic background or any amateur fights, would need that requirement waived in order to obtain a license.

Bernie Profato, Executive Director of the Ohio Athletic Commission, explained to MMA Fighting on Tuesday the reasoning behind granting Brooks a license despite no fighting background, which rests on two separate grounds.

"CM Punk has a wrestling background similar to Brock Lesner being permitted to fight in the past," Profato said.

Brooks, like Lesnar, has an extensive background as a professional wrestler working for the WWE, the industry's top organization. Lesnar's predicament, however, was not identical to Brooks's when he made his UFC debut.

First, Lesnar won the 2000 NCAA Division I national wrestling title at 285 pounds as a senior for the University of Minnesota and was a two-time All-American. In addition, prior to his UFC debut opposite Frank Mir at UFC 81 in 2008, Lesnar made his pro debut against 1996 Olympic judo silver medalist Min Soo Kim at K-1 Dynamite USA in 2007. Lesnar won that bout at 1:09 into the first round via TKO from strikes.

While citing Brooks's background as a professional wrestler as part of the reason for licensing the new fighter, Profato also noted there was a degree of trust with respect to the UFC's matchmaker Joe Silva in terms of bouts he has constructed for previous UFC events in the state.

"There was also confidence in the matchmaker from the UFC and the past bouts he has submitted in previous UFC events in Ohio," Profato argued.

UFC 203 will be the sixth UFC event in Ohio and the first in Cleveland. The UFC has held two events in Cincinnati and three in Columbus.