CM Punk Returning To UFC For Second Fight?
Dana White says he'd put odds on Punk winning a fight in the promotion.
After months of speculation and CM Punk actively campaigning for a second fight in the UFC, it looks like it might actually happen.
In a new interview with TSN's The Sports Network, UFC President Dana White all but confirmed the return of Punk.
Punk made his MMA debut this past September at UFC 203, but the big night went anything but according to plan. Despite training for nearly two years with one of the top teams in MMA, Roufusport, Punk was quickly submitted by young up-and-comer Mickey Gall. Essentially unable to get in any offense whatsoever, many figured Punk's days in the world's top MMA promotion were done.
However, White has now opened the door to the former WWE champion's return, going so far as to say he expects Punk to get a win in the UFC. This is a far cry from earlier statements where White suggested Punk would be better suited fighting elsewhere.
When asked if he thought CM Punk would get a win in the UFC, White simply answered "I do." Of course, White was given 2-1 odds as part of the question, but he seemed sincere in his belief that Punk could pick up a win.
It was certainly a more positive response than expected. In regards to competition for him, when informed UFC fighter Mike "The Truth" Jackson was campaigning to see who the bigger can in the UFC was, White stated;
Is that what he said? That is hilarious. I didn't know that, alright, that's interesting, I honestly didn't know that.
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The reality is, in regards to Punk fighting, is that the UFC needs stars at the moment. Ronda Rousey may be done in the sport, and Conor McGregor will be off at least until Summer. That means Punk could be called on to help boost buyrates, at least one more time.