The UFC Makes It Official With CM Punk’s First Opponent

Finally. Finally! Just when it looked like CM Punk may never fight in the UFC (despite being featured in EA UFC 2), it looks like Punk now has a general timeframe in which he’ll make his UFC debut. Finally. This news is long overdue considering Punk made the announcement that he’d be stepping into the Octagon over a year ago, and now the doubters claiming he’d never fight can enjoy the taste of their feet.

But, despite this exciting news, his opponent isn’t a guarantee. Today on Off The Record, UFC head honcho Dana White said that Mickey Gall, long the suspected first opponent of CM Punk, has been signed to a UFC contract. If Gall wins his preliminary bout at UFC 196 and improves his record to 2-0, dude has the shot.

“He’s holding a lottery ticket with really good odds. He’s got to get through this fight, and, yeah, it’s going to be a life-changer for this kid.”

The age difference between Punk and his potential opponent is worrisome. Punk is 37-years-old and Mickey Gall is a young buck at only 23. Gall’s whole athletic life has been dedicated to the martial arts, and he trains with perennial lightweight contender Jim Miller. Of course, Punk has been taking this seriously, and has been sharpening his skills with Duke Roufus’ crew of former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis, welterweight demigod Ben Askren and the likes of Erik Koch and Ben Rothwell. He wouldn’t agree to a fight if he wasn’t ready.

Still, maybe CM Punk should fight someone a little more experienced, but considerably older. Maybe someone like 2-0 Herschel Walker who dominated in Strikeforce? THAT is the fight to make. Maybe it can still happen.

(Via Bleacher Report)

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