CM Punk smiles at the cameras while posing with his WWE championship belt. (Photo : Getty Images/Jason Merritt)
Phil Brooks, also known as CM Punk, is a former WWE champion turned MMA fighter in December 2014. However, Punk has not made his professional debut and there are reports saying that he is not progressing enough to last inside the Octagon.
The 37-year-old Chicago native walked out of the wrestling business in January 2014 and shocked the world by signing with the UFC 11 months later. He is training under Duke Roufus of Roufusport Kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Punk was scheduled to make his UFC debut on June 4 at UFC 199 against fellow UFC newcomer Mickey Gall. However, he underwent emergency surgery in February to repair a herniated disc in his back that was bothering him since his wrestling days.
Doctors gave him about four to six weeks of recovery but it was enough to push back his first professional fight. It was not his first injury suffered in training as he dislocated his shoulder last year.
According to Wrestling Inc, Punk has been working hard on his training but many experts and people are saying that he may not last against Gall. He has participated in live sparring sessions, which actually looked good but not good enough for a professional.
It should be noted that the UFC have also played down Punk's debut since he was sidelined earlier this year. There was hype surrounding him last year with people wanting to know what he can bring to the table.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez also got the same surgery as Punk in February but he is already scheduled to fight at UFC 200 on July 9. In an interview with The MMA Hour, Punk revealed his desire to make his debut at UFC 205 on November 12.
UFC 205 will be the first MMA event in the state of New York since it was legalized. The event is going to be held at world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
"In my mind, that card at the (Madison Square) Garden would be a nice second fight. But, I don't know how realistic that is because, again, I don't want to say things people are going to take to heart," Punk said.
Watch the video below for Punk's special training with former UFC light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin.
