He was out of his depth.
CM Punk made his long awaited UFC debut at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio last night nearly two years after signing for the MMA promotion.
The event took place in the early hours of the morning Irish time and if you waited up in expectation of Punk producing a stellar performance, you would have been left disappointed.
He faced fellow welterweight Mickey Gall, a 24-year-old with one UFC fight under his belt who was discovered on Dana White’s reality series Lookin’ For A Fight.
What a moment for @CMPunk who steps into the Octagon for the first time! #UFC203 https://t.co/gTzV5zd1ss
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 11, 2016
It was always going to be difficult for 37-year-old Punk to step into the ring against someone much more experienced than him in the fight game. Although Gall has only four MMA fights prior to last night, he’s a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and he used those skills to great effect last night to secure a quick win.
JUST LIKE THAT! @mickeygall submits @CMPunk via rear-naked choke! #UFC203 https://t.co/uGzy5DqVkf
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 11, 2016
Following the fight, Punk spoke rather poignantly in the octagon about how this would not be his last fight and how people should believe in themselves.
"You go big or you go home!" @CMPunk insists he will not give up on his MMA dream. #UFC203 https://t.co/17FEYXzAiv
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) September 11, 2016
The former WWE wrestler had no previous fighting experience prior to signing for the UFC, but had a desire to test himself in one of the toughest arenas on earth.
