The mixed martial arts (MMA) return of CM Punk is a highly-anticipated one, which is why combat fans were excited to see the former WWE superstar officially booked to fight Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on June 9 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
It will be just the second time that Punk is fighting professionally, having lost to Mickey Gall via first-round submission at UFC 203 back in 2016.
Despite reports that Punk is making huge strides in training, oddsmakers are still selling the former professional wrestler short when it comes to his chances of defeating Jackson this June.
According to recent betting lines put out by Bovada (h/t Damon Martin), Punk is currently slated as a +200 underdog, while Jackson comes in as a -260 favorite. That means a $100 bet on Punk will win you $200. Not too shabby, especially since the former WWE star is competing in front of his hometown crowd.
While Punk showed little skill in his debut against Gall 19 months ago, it’s surprising that Jackson is such a heavy favorite. Oddsmakers may be scared to level the playing field considering Punk is six years older, but Jackson is 0-1 in his professional career as well. That loss came against Gall, too, and lasted 90 seconds less than Punk’s debut.
Still, the oddsmakers have spoken. Assuming there’s going to be heavy promotion around this fight leading up to UFC 225, Punk’s +200 tag could come down as we draw closer to fight week. But who knows, maybe the pro wrestler really is just that outmatched, both on paper and inside of the Octagon.
UFC 225 will be headlined by a middleweight title rematch pitting current UFC champion Robert Whittaker against Cuban dynamo Yoel Romero. The card will also feature a co-main event tilt between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington for the interim welterweight title, while former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm welcomes Megan Anderson to the Octagon in a featherweight affair.
For more UFC 225 fight card news click here.