CM Punk UFC Debut: Dana White Says Ex-WWE Star's First Fight Could Be Set in July
It has been almost two years since Phil "CM Punk" Brooks announced that he signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC, per Associated Press. Many fans are waiting for his debut. UFC president Dana White commented on his status during a UFC Fight Club Q&A in Melbourne, Australia before UFC 193.
"He'll fight. I'm going to say before summer. Probably before summer. Listen, he doesn't have any fights yet, man. Let him take his time and work his way in," White said via MMA News. The report notes that next summer will have their most anticipate event in its history, UFC 200, on July 9 at Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to MMA Junkie, CM Punk was originally looking to have his UFC debut by the end of 2015 or the start of 2016, but a recent shoulder injury suffered in training have delayed his first fight inside the Octagon. The 37-year-old is training at the Roufusport Team in Milwaukee with teammates like former Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren and former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
His coach and Roufusports head Duke Roufus revealed in an interview with ESPN that Punk suffered a shoulder injury while training, which will push back his debut in 2016. The team is looking at six to 10 months of training to have him ready for his first fight. He also said that it is the perfect situation for the former WWE champion to make his much-anticipated debut at UFC 200.
"I gave up managing fighters, but I understand the promotion business. I think it's smart business. I was at UFC 100 in 2009 when Brock Lesnar was showcased, and I saw the impact of that," Roufus said.
In a report by The Sun-Times, Punk's fan base from the WWE and his critics and haters will make his UFC debut more intriguing. The possibility of him making his debut in UFC 200 along with the possible rematch between Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey can make it the biggest event in UFC history.
The Chicago-native appeared in The MMA Hour last month and talked about his shoulder injury for the very first time. Punk revealed how he injured his shoulder during sparring, and an MRI showed that there was no tear on the labrum or rotator cuff.
He said that most of the pain on his shoulder is gone and he has resumed light training. Punk also fired back at his critics, saying via MMA Fighting, "I don't get paid unless I fight. Why the hell wouldn't I fight? So I can get paid."
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