Did CM Punk Really Compete in the UFC? A Look Back at His MMA Journey
When CM Punk, one of WWE’s most recognizable stars, announced in 2014 that he was leaving professional wrestling to sign with the UFC, it sent shockwaves across both industries. Known for his microphone skills, rebellious persona, and marathon WWE Championship reign, Punk — real name Phil Brooks — decided to make the jump from scripted entertainment to the brutally real world of mixed martial arts. But did he actually compete inside the Octagon, and how did his venture into MMA turn out?
CM Punk officially debuted in the UFC on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio. With zero prior amateur or professional MMA experience, he faced young prospect Mickey Gall in a welterweight bout. The fight was brief, with Gall taking Punk down early and submitting him via rear-naked choke just 2 minutes and 14 seconds into the first round. Despite the loss, Punk expressed pride over finally stepping into the Octagon after two years of training at Roufusport under respected coach Duke Roufus.
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Rather than walking away, Punk sought another opportunity to prove himself. His second (and final) UFC fight came on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225 in his hometown of Chicago, where he faced journeyman Mike Jackson. This time, Punk survived all three rounds, but he was thoroughly out-struck and out-grappled. Jackson won via unanimous decision. However, the result was later overturned to a no-contest by the Illinois Athletic Commission after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.
In the end, Punk’s UFC run stands at 0-1 (1 NC) and, while unsuccessful from a competitive standpoint, his willingness to step into the cage earned him respect among some fighters and fans. His stint also delivered huge media attention and pay-per-view numbers for the UFC. Though he has not fought since 2018 and now works as a commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships, CM Punk’s short-lived UFC career remains one of the most talked-about celebrity crossover experiments in MMA history.
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