CM Punk Loses His MMA Debut, Discusses Whether He’ll Fight Again

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that CM Punk was making his UFC debut tonight at UFC 203. Punk fought at welterweight (170 pounds), facing off with Mickey Gall (2-0). Gall was discovered on Dana White’s Looking For a Fight show, and defeated Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night 82 to earn the fight with Punk. Gall won that fight in February, and the bout with Punk was delayed due to Punk needing back surgery for a herniated disc. The fight was finally announced for UFC 203, in the same building that CM Punk walked out of WWE in. Punk has no amateur or professional fighting experience, but trained under Duke Roufus. Team Roufus is home to UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley, former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis as well as Sergio Pettis and Ben Askren.

Punk rushed out and was taken down quickly. Gall worked in Punk’s guard and landed hard strikes and then moved to side control with ease. Punk tried to work off the cage, but Gall took his back and fished for a choke. He flattened Punk out, got the hooks in and then worked ground and pound. Punk tried to defend, but Gall finally locked in the rear naked choke and Punk tapped. Gall completely dominated the fight.

Mickey Gall wins at 2:14 of round one via rear naked choke.

Post fight, Punk was gracious in loss and raised Gall’s hand in victory.

In his post fight interview, Gall said that Punk took an opportunity and it turned into a great chance for him and said, “I’m not going fucking anywhere.” Gall then called out Sage Northcutt.

Joe Rogan then spoke with CM Punk, and Rogan said he admired Punk for taking this chance. Punk said he took the hard road, and he took a the challenge here. He will not stop and appreciates all of the support and praises Gall. He says he will be back and that this was the second best night of his life. It doesn’t mater how many times you get knocked down; it’s about getting up. Believe in yourself, the true failure in life is not trying at all. Check out 411’s complete UFC 203 report at this link.

"You go BIG or you go home" – @CMPunk #UFC203 https://t.co/H4LEnkXwmI

— UFC (@ufc) September 11, 2016