7 Things We Learned From The Evolution Of CM Punk Final Episode
The series is over - so what did we learn?
The final episode of the UFC/Fox Sports 1 documentary, The Evolution of Punk, aired Tuesday (pushed back a day due to the long weekend in the U.S.). Entitled "Cult of Personality" it gave fans one last look at the would-be UFC fighter prior to his octagon debut at UFC 203.
The episode featured a distinct change in approach from earlier instalments: rather than focusing entirely on Punk, it went behind the scenes in the camp of his scheduled opponent, Mickey Gall, showing both his UFC debut earlier this year, and his training. For the first time in the series, the focus was no longer entirely on Punk. Was the UFC hedging its bets?
The episode would also focus on the second injury Punk had to deal with during his MMA training, a nagging back injury left over from his pro wrestling days that would again delay his UFC debut. Luckily, all the delays are over, and Punk vs. Gall will take place Saturday (thanks in part to Punk being granted special permission by the Ohio Athletic Commission to fight, as they waived a requirement that all fighters turning pro must have five amateur fights).
What did we learn from this final episode? What's the verdict on the series as a whole? Here are seven things we learned from The Evolution of Punk - Cult of Personality.
7. It's No Longer All About Punk
Opening the final episode of the documentary, Punk observes that "I guess I'm kind of a lotto ticket so to speak, but just like that power ball, only one person can win it". Cut to Dana White announcing Mickey Gall's first UFC fight (against a part time fighter/MMA media member, Mike Jackson). Gall, as we already know, wins, and the fight with Punk is set up.
The Jackson fight seemed to take place for no other reason than the UFC needing the ability to say "look, Punk is fighting a guy who has a win in the UFC, he's not a total can".
Then came the face off in the cage - a rather respectful affair.
All of this made the media rounds months ago, but the final episode of the series spent a fair chunk of time recapping it. So what did we learn? It's no longer just about Punk, and maybe there's a reason for it. Even if Punk loses, at least the UFC can market Gall as "the guy who beat CM Punk" - for what that's worth.