There is a huge cloud of doubt over former WWE superstar CM Punk’s future involvement with the UFC. Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, lasted just a little over 2 minutes in his first ever UFC fight last month against Mickey Gall, who trapped him in a submission hold to pick up the victory.
The 3-time WWE World Heavyweight champion had spent almost 2 years in preparation for his debut appearance at UFC 203. Unfortunately for Brooks, it was all laid to waste by Gall in a matter of minutes. CM Punk’s bleak performance in the fight did not impress UFC president Dana White and he has expressed his reservations over giving the 37-year old another chance.
White spoke of the former WWE superstar’s future on FS1 this week. Here’s what he said:
“Is CM Punk going to be a guy who is going to stay in the UFC and continue to fight? Probably not, but he wanted to try it. I like the guy. I respect the guy. He wanted to fight in the UFC. He wanted to do it. He trained for two years, and he did it.”
White has apparently stuck to his initial thoughts right after UFC 203, where he insisted that Punk probably should not have his next fight in the UFC.
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The welterweight bout between CM Punk and Mickey Gall was included on the main card for the UFC 203 event which took place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Gall dominated the fight from the outset and Punk was left battered and bruised by the time it all ended.
Even after his loss, the former WWE champion was upbeat about his hopes to make a comeback to the UFC arena. Considering Dana White’s opinion, though, CM Punk may not get the opportunity he craves.
Of late, there has also been much talk of former NFL star Greg Hardy transitioning to MMA. At the age of 28, Hardy is much younger and fitter compared to Punk and has the potential to fare far better in the UFC.
Although UFC president Dana White did not make a direct reference to Greg Hardy, he shared his thoughts about having athletes from non-MMA backgrounds compete in the event.
White said, “There have been situations like Brock Lesnar who came in and wanted to do it, and obviously that one turned out well. Then obviously we had the CM Punk thing. It just depends.”
“I wouldn’t say that I’m looking for retired NFL players for pay-per-view or anything like that. I just don’t know what the real interest is in seeing some of these guys fights or even if it makes sense,” he added.
Unless there is a dramatic change in scenario, though, it looks pretty obvious that CM Punk’s UFC career is heading towards a quick finish.
