The UFC president says it’s up to CM Punk if his debut will be a one-shot affair or not.
This Saturday at UFC Fight Night 82, 24-year old newcomer Mickey Gall will make his UFC debut against Mike Jackson in the preliminary portion of the card. What would normally have been nothing more than a side note, is actually pretty interesting news, since Gall is penciled to be the first opponent of former WWE superstar CM Punk, should he win this Saturday.
While Gall is fairly a novice himself with his 1-0 professional record, at least he has a couple of amateur fights under his belt. CM Punk on the other hand might be used to performing on the big stage, but has no competitive combat-sports background whatsoever. He has preparing himself for his debut at Duke Roufus‘ academy for over a year now, but there’s still a good chance he falters.
And what happens then? Will he still continue to fight in the UFC?
“That’s going to be up to him,” UFC President Dana White explained during an interview on the Grant and Danny Show on Thursday. (Transcription via MMA Fighting)
“He was a big fan of the UFC. He ended up leaving the WWE and he said, ‘Dana, my dream is to fight in the UFC. I want to fight in the UFC. Will you let me fight?’
“So, we’re giving him a fight,” White continued. “We’re bringing in a kid who has obviously a little more experience than he does. If he wins this fight this Saturday, he’ll be 2-0. Punk is 0-0. We’ll see how it plays out for him. “
Should it not play out the way Punk has planned, however, he will be free to leave, says White.
“He will decide what he wants to do after that.”
Gall’s UFC debut takes place this Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.