#5 Critics
CM Punk could've knocked Mickey Gall out within two minutes and there still would've been a parade of critics on the back of the Best in the World. No matter what Punk does he won't be able to shake these guys off of him, and it doesn't even matter if he won his next fight as a part of the UFC.
The press would likely eat him alive and simply continue to point out his 1-1 record.
Plus, just think how much worse things would get if he did indeed lose his second fight. He'd never hear the end of it and that's a great shame considering how much work and effort he's put into this alternative career path. The second Punk potentially has another fight announced in the UFC, the swarm of media know-it-alls will bombard the internet with criticism.
Onto a more serious reason behind stepping away.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
