CM Punk News: Dana White Eyeing UFC 199 As Debut For Former WWE Superstar
UFC president Dana White recently spoke about updates regarding the much-anticipated Octagon debut of former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar CM Punk.
The 37-year-old former professional wrestler was signed by the UFC in 2014, with the official announcement made during the UFC 181 pay-per-view broadcast in December of that year. Punk (Phil Brooks in real life), was initially criticized by fans and fighters alike for being signed in the UFC with zero professional mixed martial arts experience.
On the flip side, many other fighters also extended their hand and invited Punk to train with them. In the end, he chose to place himself under the tutelage of Duke Roufus at the renowned Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee, where he trains with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, and current ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren.
Punk was slated to make his debut in the end of 2015, but an injury he suffered during training kept him in the sidelines indefinitely. Now, White has announced a date for Punk's UFC debut. Interestingly, it would be happening at UFC 199, not in the company's milestone card at UFC 200 in July.
"The CM Punk fight is probably going to be in June," White said in a report by MMA Fighting. "UFC 199 is what I'm thinking."
As for his opponent, White recently signed mixed martial arts newcomer Mickey Gall, whom he found during an episode of "Looking for a Fight." The catch, however, is that Gall should win his UFC debut match against another novice fighter, Mike Jackson, at UFC 196 on February 6.
Punk was often compared to Brock Lesnar, one of the first WWE superstars who transitioned into mixed martial arts. While Lesnar did achieve success and won the heavyweight title, White says it is a different situation.
"When Brock Lesnar came into the UFC, he had a serious wrestling pedigree," White says. "And not just WWE wrestling. Legit collegiate wrestling. CM Punk doesn't have any of that, so it's going to be tough for him."
