Explore the rise and fall of CM Punk’s UFC career, from his debut fight to his controversial departure. Discover the challenges of transitioning from professional wrestling to MMA and the criticism surrounding fighter pay.
| Fight | Result |
|---|---|
| CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall | Defeat via rear-naked choke |
| CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson | Initially defeated, result overturned due to failed drug test |
- CM Punk’s UFC career was marked by disappointment and controversy.
- Demetrious Johnson criticized the pay disparity in MMA.
- Johnson believes fighters like CM Punk should hone their skills further before competing in the UFC.
- CM Punk has returned to professional wrestling with WWE.
2016 was an eventful year for the UFC and mixed martial arts (MMA). It saw the rise of stars like Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, as well as the final fight of Ronda Rousey. Amidst all the excitement, professional wrestler Phil “CM Punk” Brooks decided to make his debut in the UFC, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Brock Lesnar.
Unfortunately for Brooks, his UFC run did not go as planned. In his first fight against Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in September 2016, he suffered an embarrassing defeat via a first-round rear-naked choke. Despite this setback, Brooks returned for a second fight against Mike Jackson in 2018. Although he initially lost the bout, the result was later overturned due to Jackson’s failed drug test for marijuana.
While Brooks may not have found success in the Octagon, he did manage to earn a significant amount of money from his UFC stint. This drew criticism from reigning champion Demetrious Johnson, who believed that popularity, rather than skill, played a larger role in determining fighters’ pay.
Johnson, who was in the midst of his historic reign as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, expressed his frustration with the pay disparity. Despite his accomplishments, Johnson claimed to have earned far less than Brooks, with his highest UFC payday being around $420,000.
Since leaving the UFC, Johnson has continued to excel in his career, now holding the ONE Championship Flyweight title. Meanwhile, Brooks has returned to the world of professional wrestling and rejoined WWE in 2023.
While Johnson acknowledges that Brooks may find success in the scripted world of WWE, he believes that Brooks and fighters like him are not yet ready for the high level of competition in MMA. He suggests that these fighters should hone their skills further before stepping into the Octagon.
In the end, the story of CM Punk’s UFC career serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of transitioning from one combat sport to another. While his time in the UFC may have been short-lived and filled with disappointment, it remains a chapter in the history of MMA that will not be forgotten.
