CM Punk’s venture into the UFC remains etched in memory, albeit for less than favorable reasons.
In late 2014, the former WWE champion joined the UFC as a novice. In September 2016, Punk made his professional debut in a welterweight bout against Mickey Gall at UFC 203. Sadly, Gall succumbed to a rear-naked choke by Gall, merely two minutes into the bout.
Undeterred by his initial defeat, CM Punk returned to the octagon two years later for UFC 225. This time, he competed against Mike Jackson in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. However, this encounter was filled with challenges beyond the cage.
Brooks was entangled in a legal dispute with fellow wrestler Scott “Colt Cabana” Colton, adding emotional strain to his already demanding circumstances. Despite his resilience, Punk faced another setback as Jackson secured victory via unanimous decision. Nevertheless, the outcome was later overturned to a no contest due to Jackson’s positive drug test for marijuana.
Reflecting on his UFC journey, CM Punk expressed a blend of introspection and resilience. In an interview on The MMA Hour, he candidly discussed the ordeal and acknowledged the physical and emotional toll it exacted.
Punk said: “I asked my wife the other day because I said something, I was just like, ‘What was I, 35 when I fought?’ And she was just like, ‘Oh no, you were 36 or 37.’ I just went, ‘What the f—k was I thinking?’”
He continued: “I’m glad I did it. Zero regrets. I shouldn’t have fought in Chicago, because of the worst two weeks of my life. Easily the worst two weeks of my life. I couldn’t cut weight properly. I still made weight. I’m proud of myself for that. I’m an ambitious guy.”
With his UFC stint behind him, CM Punk returned to his roots in professional wrestling and WWE. Despite the challenges and criticisms he faced, Punk remains unwavering in his pursuit of success.
He went on to say: “I get it, it’s easy to ‘LOL’ and make fun of me. Some people look at that and be like, ‘That’s embarrassing.’”
“I f—king made the weight. I made the walk. I am 100 percent proud of myself, and I would do it again, because that was me at my absolute worst, and I did it. You want to call me a loser, that’s cool, but I was stoked I got that opportunity, and I was stoked I did it.”