CM Punk earns BJJ blue belt – Return to UFC in 2018?
When former WWE wrestler CM Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, made a run at MMA, more specifically the UFC, most everyone questioned the legitimacy of the fight he was about to enter. Would the UFC really allow a fighter with no experience to compete inside the octagon on pay-per-view?
Well, they did.
Brooks fought and lost to rising MMA star Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio in August 2016. The fight last 2:14 before Gall submitted Punk.
From there, it was almost certain that Brooks would never return to the UFC. How could he? He was just finished in front of millions of people by a fighter who only had two pro fights to his credit. It would only get worse right?
Despite the injuries and the criticism, Brooks never gave up. He has been in the gym training and looking to give it a second go.
“CM Punk is coming to Detroit and wants to talk to me,” UFC President Dana White said at a media scrum prior to last week’s UFC 218 (via Las Vegas Review-Journal). “I love the guy. We’ll see what he’s doing.”
Earlier this week the former WWE world champion earned his BJJ blue belt under Daniel Wanderley.
“Congratulations on your blue belt promotion Phil. I’m honored to be part of your #JiuJitsu and #MMA journey 👊🏼#cmpunk #roufusport #carlsongracie #wanderleyjiujitsu #ufc #brazilianjiujitsu”
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