While he's currently not in the AEW ring due to his post-event brawl at All Out, plus an injury, plus a possible buy-out, CM Punk is arguably the biggest star in the company. With his two title reigns combined with his incredible matches since his return last year, the Chicago native is still one of the best performers in the world of professional wrestling.
However, before CM Punk was wrestling in AEW, he had a short-lived run in the UFC octagon. While many pro wrestling fans might not know much about his MMA run, there were a lot of interesting moments that came out of this UFC experiment.
10 Punk Had Trained Jiu-Jitsu For Years
When CM Punk was active in the WWE as a professional wrestler, he also trained jiu-jitsu on the road. While many fans believe that the former professional wrestler hadn't trained in combat sports prior to his UFC signing, that isn't the case.
Punk had previously trained in Kempo Karate as a teenager and had been actively training in jiu-jitsu for years prior to beginning his MMA career. He even appeared in YouTube jiu-jitsu tutorials alongside famed coach Rener Gracie.
9 His Signing Was Announced at UFC 181
UFC 181 was an excellent card headlined by a pair of title fights, with names such as Robbie Lawler and Anthony Pettis at the top of the billing. However, coming out of the December 2014 card, the headlines were all about CM Punk.
During the broadcast, the former WWE Champion was interviewed by Joe Rogan, who announced his signing. In hindsight, the announcement and interview were quite bizarre. Punk didn't have any real answers as to when he would debut, what weight class, and more.
8 He Was Trained By Duke Roufus
In 2014, there were many great MMA camps and head coaches that CM Punk could join. However, near the top of the list was Duke Roufus and the famed Roufussport camp. The gym had names such as Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Anthony Pettis training there at the time.
Weeks after his signing, Punk made the decision to join the Wisconsin-based gym. Early reports from Roufus and others were that the former pro wrestler was putting in the work, and being very willing to learn.
7 UFC Hosted The CM Punk Sweepstakes
© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The UFC naturally struggled with finding an opponent for CM Punk's debut. Their solution was to make a big storyline out of finding his opponent and matched up Mickey Gall, whom the company found through the Looking for a Fight show, and Mike Jackson, a longtime MMA hobbyist/journalist.
The pair were a key prelim matchup on a February 2016 fight night, and the winner was promised a date with Punk. Gall easily finished the part-time journalist and secured the fight with the pro wrestling superstar.
6 Punk Lost His Debut To Mickey Gall
At UFC 203 in August 2016, CM Punk finally made his octagon debut. After training for nearly two years, and being matched up with the welterweight prospect in Gall, what did the former WWE Champion have to show? Sadly, it wasn't much.
Punk got taken down early, and was dominated by Gall. While he had moments of heart and tried to battle off multiple submission attempts, he was still submitted midway through the first round.
5 He Vowed To Fight On
Traditionally, when someone leaves their previous sport to take up MMA, they don't last long. Look no further than former boxing champion James Toney's foray into the sport, as he took only one fight (which he lost) before returning to boxing.
However, CM Punk wanted to prove that he was taking MMA seriously, and wasn't like other crossover stars who've competed before him. He vowed to fight on and stated that he would return to the octagon after getting more training time.
4 Punk Had A No-Contest With Mike Jackson
At UFC 225 in June 2018, CM Punk made good on his vow to return to the octagon and show his improved ability. The show was taking place in his hometown of Chicago and got Mike Jackson, who was also an 0-1 fighter, to return to the UFC.
Sadly for Punk, he once again left the cage without a win. At UFC 225, the former pro wrestler seemed improved and even got a huge takedown in round one. However, he gassed out and ended up being battered en route to a decision loss. To add to the drama, Jackson failed his post-fight drug test, and the fight result was overturned to a no-contest.
3 Dana White Ripped Both Men After UFC 225
CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson at UFC 225 was widely panned by MMA fans and pundits. However, there were few men that were as heated as UFC president Dana White, who took to the post-fight media scrum to bash the fight and both welterweights.
Most of his rage was directed at Jackson, who White felt dragged out the fight when he could've gotten a finish. His anger toward Punk was more reserved, but the promoter urged the former professional wrestler to retire.
2 Punk Began Doing Commentating
© Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Following UFC 225, CM Punk was quick to note that he likely wouldn't fight in the UFC again. However, the former WWE Champion also stated that he would never say never and that he would like to compete in MMA again if the right chance arises.
Months after his second fight, it seemed that Punk knew the writing was on the wall and began a career as an MMA commentator. He began commentating for CFFC, a UFC-affiliated promotion that airs on Fight Pass.
1 He Retired To Join AEW
For three years, CM Punk sat on the sidelines as a fighter. While many didn't know it, he was remaining as a commentator, and also getting tested by USADA. While Dana White urged him to retire, he never did and was likely getting fight offers for three years.
However, he didn't retire until August 2021. The week following his AEW debut, he called the UFC and informed them of his retirement, making an end to his foray into MMA.