CM Punk News: Punk's Would-Be Opponent Plans to Use Ex-WWE Star as Stepping Stone to Move Forward with UFC Career
Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar turned forthcoming UFC fighter CM Punk is still uncertain about his fighting future.
Punk (Phil Brooks in real life) made his formal announcement about being the new addition in the UFC's roster, with December 2015 as his slated debut. However, it was all put on hold after he suffered a shoulder injury in training in October of the said year.
Head trainer Duke Roufus then declared that Punk would instead be making his debut before the second half of 2016. For their part, the UFC began to scour the United States for a possible opponent for Punk, and found New Jersey-based fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, Mickey Gall.
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Gall, however, was stipulated to first win his debut fight in the UFC against Mike Jackson in the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 82. Gall fulfilled his end of the bargain by winning the fight via first round submission.
However, misfortune hit Punk once again, as he is now sidelined due to a back injury, which he already had successful surgery on. As of the moment, neither Punk nor his camp has given new updates regarding his debut.
But for Gall, fighting the sports entertainment superstar would be the best option for his career, and he is willing to hold off any other match-ups for it to happen.
"I'd like to fight, but it's a big opportunity," Gall said in an ESPN report. "It's a big name. I'll get fans from that and exposure that will help my career going forward. Although I'm eager and want to say, 'Yeah, I'll take a fight right now,' this is a smart move."
Many fighters are known for the opponents they have been matched up with through the course of their respective careers, like how Muhammad Ali has Joe Frazier, and how Chuck Liddell has Tito Ortiz. But for Gall, being the "CM Punk guy" is not something he aspires to be, as he intends to use the said fight as his stepping-stone for greatness.
"[After Punk], I get to prove I'm of this caliber," he said. "I've been training with UFC guys since I was 16. I know I'm ready and I can't wait to fight the best guys in the world, get into those wars and get those victories."
