The Day CM Punk Actually Fought

“CM PUNK! CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” The Chicago crowd cheered on their native son as he made his way down to the Octagon. For the first time since being introduced as the UFC’s newest signee on December 6, 2014; Punk was about to step foot in the Octagon as a fighter. His debut had been scheduled and re-scheduled multiple times. Knee injury, back injury, the birth of his son, a live podcast with his good friend and corner man Colt Cabana, another knee injury, his divorce, his wedding to Arianny Celeste, and a broken hand suffered after punching a computer screen were just a few of the reasons as to why Punk’s debut had been delay.

Now 40-years-old, his wrestling money almost dried up due to poor investments and child support payments to his ex-wife AJ Lee, and his fame fading, Punk is finally ready to don the Reebok shorts and put his extensive training under the watchful eyes of Edmond Tarverdyan and BJ Penn to use.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment, Joe,” says lead UFC announcer Mike Goldberg. “A very long time, Mike.”

“Cult of Personality” plays throughout the arena as Punk enters the Blistex Prep Point. He gets a quick pat down before hugging his friend and trainers, putting in his mouthpiece, and taking the steps up to the Octagon door. Before entering, Punk turns to the crowd, soaks in the moment, and screams out, “BEST IN THE WORLD!” while throwing his arms out to show off his impressive wingspan as the crowd goes crazy.

“Listen to this crowd, Joe. You could make the argument that CM Punk is the most beloved athlete in the history of the city of Chicago.”

Punk takes to his side of the Octagon as the tale of the tape flashes on the screen.

“Joe, I talked to BJ this morning and he told me, ‘Punk is ready.’ That means a lot coming from the UFC Hall of Famer.”

Punk’s opponent for his debut is MMA newcomer Kalyl Silva, the 19-year-old son of former UFC Champion Anderson Silva. Silva is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, hoping to capture the UFC Welterweight title, currently held by Mickey Gall, at some point in his career before moving to Middleweight and holding the belt made famous by his dad.

“Punk is 40, Silva is 19, everything else is virtually identical,” explains Goldberg as the tale of the tape disappears and Bruce Buffer takes center Octagon.

“Ladies and gentleman, THIS IS! THE MAIN EVENT! OF THE EVENING! From the sold out United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and airing on the UFC Network… IIIIIIIIIIIIIIT’S TIME! First, FIGHTING! OUT OF THE BLUE CORNER! This man is a muay-thia fighter making his professional debut, standing six feet, four inches tall, and weighing in at 170 pounds, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil……KALYL! “THE ARACHNID!” SILLLLLLLLVAAAAAAA!

And his opponent, FIGHTING! OUT OF THE RED CORNER! This man is a wrestler making his professional debut, standing six feet, two inches tall, and weighing in at 170 pounds, fighting out of Chicago, Illinois…..C! M! PUUUUUUUUUNK!”

Both fighters step to the center of the Octagon and are given instructions by referee John McCarthy. They touch gloves, with Silva bowing to Punk, before both men fall back to their respective corners.

“SILVA! PUNK!”

“Are you ready? Are you ready? LET’S GET IT ON!”

“HERE WE GO!”

Both fighters take the center and touch gloves again before backing off a bit.

“There’s got to be a lot of nerves in that cage right now, Joe.” “There’s so much pressure on both men. They’ve both been waiting a long time for this moment and it’s finally here.”

Punk immediately starts with a flying knee attempt, but Silva was not in the corner, leaving him with plenty of room to back away.

“BJ Penn told me that’s it’s key for Punk to get off early. They wanted a fast start. They don’t want Silva to settle into a rhythm like his father used to. I’m not surprised that he went for a big strike early,” says Rogan.

Silva dances around a bit, throwing feints as he tries to find the range.

“PUSH FORWARD!” yells Penn from Punk’s corner.

A minute passes with neither man engaging. The crowd becomes a little restless as a smattering of boos begin to fill the arena. Silva connects with a body kick that is only partially blocked.

“OH! That’s a big shot. That definitely got Punk’s attention,” says Rogan.

Punk tries to counter with a looping right, but it only grazes the nose of Silva. Punk tries for a takedown but Silva easily fends it off. They wind up in quick clinch before separating.

“Punk looks a little dejected, Mike.” “I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into until now.”

Punk tries to press forward with a series of strikes, but Silva smoothly backs away and lands a countering jab. Punk backs away and tries to get the crowd into things by egging on Silva to engage. Silva moves forward and lands another jab followed by a leg kick that his Punk wincing.

“OH! That hurt him, Mike. Punk is definitely in some trouble after that kick. Look at him. He’s clearly not moving right. That leg kick took a lot out of his movement.”

The action slows once again. Punk fails to land anything significant while Silva is content to play defense and land small countering shots. Punk fires off a weak leg kick and goes for another takedown. After a struggle against the cage, Punk manages to get Silva to the ground with 10 seconds remaining.

“This is huge, Joe. Punk is a submission specialist. He’s been training with the Gracie’s for many years and BJ Penn told me that Punk gives him fits on the ground in the gym.”

The round ends with Silva keeps Punk in guard.

“That takedown might’ve stolen the round for Punk. Not a whole lot happened, but that was a big takedown and one that should certainly give him confidence heading into the second round.”

Both men head to their corners. Anderson Silva and Ed Soares calm Kalyl while giving him minimal instructions. In Punk’s corner, three different voices are shouting at him. “HE’S GOT NOTHING!” “YOU HAVE TO ATTACK!” ‘KEEP IT UP BUDDY!”

As the rest period ends, both fighters stand from their stools and get ready for the second round of actions. Silva immediately opens with a side kick to the knee, pushing Punk’s leg in and causing him to stagger and limp. Punk drops his hands to grab at his knee, Silva takes advantage with a series of unblocked blows to the head. McCarthy quickly steps in to wave off the fight.

“IT IS ALL OVER! KALYL SILVA HAS DEFEATED CM PUNK!”

Silva jumps on the top of the Octagon and raises his arms in the air while doctors come in to check on Punk.

After the scene dies down, Punk is helped to his feet, standing beside McCarthy as Bruce Buffer announces Silva as the winner. Rogan interviews Silva, who thanks Punk for the fight and says that he’s improving every day. Rogan then makes his way over to Punk, who is leaning on Cabana, trying to put not weight on his leg.

“CM. Walk us through the fight if you could. How did you feel and in your estimation, what do you think went wrong?” asks Rogan. “I felt good. I have no excuses for my performance. You know, I’m 40-years-old. I’ve had a lot of injuries including some leading up to this fight. I’ve been through a lot in my personal life. But I want to come in here and do what I said I was going to do, which is to fight and prove all the doubters and haters wrong.” “What, if anything, about Silva surprised you?” “Nothing really surprised me. It’s so tough to train for a guy you know nothing about. We were worried about those kicks to the knee, but they’re so hard to train for because they are pretty dangerous. But I was prepared for everything. I was nervous, but definitely prepared.” “Is this something you want to do again?” “Definitely. I didn’t come here to fight once. I came here to be the best. Things didn’t work out for me tonight, but I’ll be back stronger than ever.” “Well, Mr. Punk, it was an honor and a pleasure to call your fight. Thank you.”

Rogan and Punk share a hug as the crowd cheers for their hometown hero. Punk mouths, “I’ll be back” to the camera.

A week or so after the fight, Ariel Helwani breaks the news that CM Punk failed his post-fight drug test. Anabolic steroids were found in his system. When reached for comment, Punk put out a statement saying, “I am aware of the failed drug test and I intend to fight it. I am straight edge. I’ve never taken any type of performance enhancer or drug in my life. Until I have all the facts, I will not comment further on this matter.”

A day later, Punk was released from the UFC.