Largely unproven at only 1-0 in his MMA career, NAGA grappling champion Mickey Gall had the opportunity of a lifetime to win a fight with hyped former pro wrester CM Punk when he faced Golden Gloves boxer Mike Jackson on the prelims of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 82 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las
Largely unproven at only 1-0 in his MMA career, NAGA grappling champion Mickey Gall had the opportunity of a lifetime to win a fight with hyped former pro wrester CM Punk when he faced Golden Gloves boxer Mike Jackson on the prelims of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 82 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Earning his first UFC fight after calling for a bout with Punk after his first-ever MMA win on Dana White’s “Lookin’ For A Fight” Fight Pass show, Gall capitalized in a big way by decimating Jackson in only 45 seconds with a huge right hand and a rear-naked choke for the finish.
After the win, Gall earned his spot in Punk’s UFC debut, and the much-discussed WWE champion stepped into the Octagon to meet Gall face-to-face for their proposed summer meeting. Check it out via UFC on FOX here:
The decision to have former WWE star CM Punk fight in the UFC has been a topic that has been debated since December of 2014, which is when the UFC announced that Punk had joined the promotion. It’s well known by now that Mickey Gall will fight Punk if he passes UFC President Dana White’s
The decision to have former WWE star CM Punk fight in the UFC has been a topic that has been debated since December of 2014, which is when the UFC announced that Punk had joined the promotion.
It’s well known by now that Mickey Gall will fight Punk if he passes UFC President Dana White’s test. Gall, a 1-0 fighter from New Brunswick, N.J., caught White’s attention after his fight that aired on episode one of White’s reality series, “Dana White: Looking for a Fight,” because he called out Punk.
Gall is set to fight Michael Jackson at UFC Fight Night 82, and if Gall wins the fight, then he’ll fight Punk at either UFC 199 or UFC 200.
Jackson recently spoke with MMA Fighting about the upcoming fight and in that interview, he said that he believes this is a massive troll job by the UFC.
“To me, this is a big troll,” Jackson said. “This is a massive troll by everyone involved here.”
“You have CM Punk, who has no MMA experience, fighting. You got this kid Mickey Gall, who literally wins one fight — he’s fighting in some small town in Jersey that Dana White happened to be at and was like, ‘I want to fight CM Punk.’ And he gets signed by the UFC. And then you got me. All my experience is in boxing and kickboxing. Now I’m in the UFC. It’s like, ‘What the f*ck is going on here?’”
Jackson said that he was just offered to fight in the UFC, and his reaction to the news was priceless.
“Literally a week after I got back in the gym, they were like, ‘Hey, do you want to fight in the UFC?’” Jackson said. “I was like, ‘What the f*ck?’”
UFC Fight Night 82 takes place on Saturday, February 6th, 2016 from Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the main card airing on FOX Sports 1 at 10 p.m. ET and the prelims airing on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET and UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET.
Will Gall beat Jackson then go on to beat Punk? Or does Punk have a chance in this fight? Let us know.
CM Punk recently spoke to Yahoo Sports about his new career as an MMA fighter. and revealed some advice he got from fellow former WWE champ and MMA enthusiast Batista. Punk, who has yet to make his octagon debut, currently has an 8-fight deal with the UFC.
“Part of my reason for most of the decisions I make in life is I don’t want to have regrets,” Punk said. “I talked to Dave Bautista [an ex-WWE wrestler who has one pro MMA fight] and he’s a great guy to talk to about this kind of stuff because he did the same thing. He said, ‘You’ve got to do it. You’ve got to chase your dream. You’re going to wake up one day and realize that you were presented an opportunity and you could have done it, but didn’t.’ So it’s a big reason.”
“It was something that he wanted to do. He loves it so he put his mind to it and did it, and I think that amazing,” Punk told The MMA Hour. “I don’t think anybody can criticize that. He has no delusions of grandeur. He’s not trying to get a big, fat UFC contract. He’s not trying to coast on his name from the WWE. He’s just fighting because he wanted to experience it.”
CM Punk also tackled the issue of backlash from MMA fans in his Yahoo Sports interview this week. Punk says he loves the sport of MMA, and that fans should be more patient with him while he trains for his delayed UFC debut.
“The people who don’t like the UFC and want to see it fail are always going to find the negatives,” he said. “You hear them. They say, ‘Oh, they didn’t do this,’ or ‘They’re not doing this right.’ The people who like it are going to buy the pay-per-view, and I want to respect them and the other fighters and this sport by being as prepared as I can. But there’s always going to be people who don’t like it or who have a problem with it.”
“I love the sport, and I have for a long time,” he added. “I’d stay up late and watch the Pride New Year’s Eve shows. I watch all the UFC pay-per-views. I’m a fan. I love this stuff. Literally, I looked at it, and I said, ‘That’s something I want to do.’”
Punk is expected to make his UFC debut at either UFC 199 or UFC 200.
CM Punk recently spoke to Yahoo Sports about his new career as an MMA fighter. and revealed some advice he got from fellow former WWE champ and MMA enthusiast Batista. Punk, who has yet to make his octagon debut, currently has an 8-fight deal with the UFC.
“Part of my reason for most of the decisions I make in life is I don’t want to have regrets,” Punk said. “I talked to Dave Bautista [an ex-WWE wrestler who has one pro MMA fight] and he’s a great guy to talk to about this kind of stuff because he did the same thing. He said, ‘You’ve got to do it. You’ve got to chase your dream. You’re going to wake up one day and realize that you were presented an opportunity and you could have done it, but didn’t.’ So it’s a big reason.”
“It was something that he wanted to do. He loves it so he put his mind to it and did it, and I think that amazing,” Punk told The MMA Hour. “I don’t think anybody can criticize that. He has no delusions of grandeur. He’s not trying to get a big, fat UFC contract. He’s not trying to coast on his name from the WWE. He’s just fighting because he wanted to experience it.”
CM Punk also tackled the issue of backlash from MMA fans in his Yahoo Sports interview this week. Punk says he loves the sport of MMA, and that fans should be more patient with him while he trains for his delayed UFC debut.
“The people who don’t like the UFC and want to see it fail are always going to find the negatives,” he said. “You hear them. They say, ‘Oh, they didn’t do this,’ or ‘They’re not doing this right.’ The people who like it are going to buy the pay-per-view, and I want to respect them and the other fighters and this sport by being as prepared as I can. But there’s always going to be people who don’t like it or who have a problem with it.”
“I love the sport, and I have for a long time,” he added. “I’d stay up late and watch the Pride New Year’s Eve shows. I watch all the UFC pay-per-views. I’m a fan. I love this stuff. Literally, I looked at it, and I said, ‘That’s something I want to do.’”
Punk is expected to make his UFC debut at either UFC 199 or UFC 200.
Former WWE Champion and current UFC fighter CM Punk is eager to get his UFC debut under way as he signed with the promotion in December of 2014 and now we’re in 2016, and he’s expected to fight later this year. Punk spoke with FOX Sports recently to promote his debut and right off the
Former WWE Champion and current UFC fighter CM Punk is eager to get his UFC debut under way as he signed with the promotion in December of 2014 and now we’re in 2016, and he’s expected to fight later this year.
Punk spoke with FOX Sports recently to promote his debut and right off the bat the question was asked, “are you ready to fight inMMA?” Punk explained that he’s probably not, but he will have to go out there and just do it.
“It’s a great question because a part of me wants to say, ‘It’s not for me to say,’ but one of these days you’ve just got to fight. When is a kid ready to play his first Little League game? I don’t know, just go f–king play. When is a kid ready to walk? Sometimes you’ve just got to do it. You’ve just got to get on the bike, and you’ve got to ride.
“That’s my mindset. I work my ass off everyday for this. Do I believe I’m ready? Am I confident in myself? Yes, absolutely.”
Punk injured his shoulder last year, which delayed his MMA debut and according to Punk, the injury was depressing for him.
“It was kind of depressing,” Punk said about the injury. “It was a little bit tedious. My shoulder still pops and cracks in odd positions and stuff like that, but it’s one of those things you’ve just got to work through. I was happy to be back. Being out kind of really depressed me.”
Mickey Gall, a 1-0 fighter from New Brunswick, N.J., caught UFC President Dana White’s attention after his fight that will be airing on White’s reality series, “Dana White: Looking for a Fight,” because he called out Punk. If Gall wins at UFC 196 against Michael Jackson, then it’s rumored that Gall will fight Punk at UFC 199 or UFC 200.
“That’s something that does excite me,” Punk said. “I’ve always said I can’t wait and I really can’t, but now that we know it’s going to be June or July, that’s just awesome to me.”
Do you believe the hype surrounding Punk? Let us know.
Mikey Gall will fight Michael Jackson at UFC 196, and if he wins, he will face CM Punk. Gall recently spoke with The Sun about Punk’s transition from pro wrestling to MMA.
“I think it’s a ballsy move. I respect him, he’s made himself a superstar in professional wrestling,” Gall said. “He’s obviously a special guy. But I think he’s coming into MMA and against any MMA fighter he’s gonna be in trouble—but especially in trouble with me. I’m so excited man.”
“I’m gonna prepare for him like he’s the best fighter in the world, I’m gonna train my butt off, that’s how I always go into every fight. I think I’m gonna hit him and I’m gonna hurt him early.”
Gall has a record of 1-0, and calls out CM Punk on an upcoming episode of Dana White’s YouTube series Looking For A Fight. If Gall is victorious at UFC 196, his next opponent will be Punk at either UFC 199 or UFC 200.
Mikey Gall will fight Michael Jackson at UFC 196, and if he wins, he will face CM Punk. Gall recently spoke with The Sun about Punk’s transition from pro wrestling to MMA.
“I think it’s a ballsy move. I respect him, he’s made himself a superstar in professional wrestling,” Gall said. “He’s obviously a special guy. But I think he’s coming into MMA and against any MMA fighter he’s gonna be in trouble—but especially in trouble with me. I’m so excited man.”
“I’m gonna prepare for him like he’s the best fighter in the world, I’m gonna train my butt off, that’s how I always go into every fight. I think I’m gonna hit him and I’m gonna hurt him early.”
Gall has a record of 1-0, and calls out CM Punk on an upcoming episode of Dana White’s YouTube series Looking For A Fight. If Gall is victorious at UFC 196, his next opponent will be Punk at either UFC 199 or UFC 200.
While from the start CM Punk has made it clear that his signing with the UFC would not turn out to be a celebrity one-and-done type of situation, but until recently, it wasn’t known just how many fights the former WWE Superstar would be committing to. Now, it is. Punk spoke with The U.K. Sun this week and revealed that he will be fighting “at least” eight times.
“I can’t honestly answer how many (fights) I’m gonna have,” Punk said to the U.K. media outlet. “We’ll wait and see how the first one goes. But there’s gonna be eight, at least.”
Following the announcement by the UFC regarding how they plan to handle his Octagon debut, we have learned more about Punk’s MMA endeavor in the last week than the several months that preceded it. It appears that during that year, while fans weren’t getting much information, Punk was, in fact, getting the training — and confidence — required to succeed in the sport.
“Can I say a thousand percent,” Punk said with a chuckle when asked how much he has improved after training intensely with Duke Roufus at the Roufusport Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the past six months.
Punk continued, “Because I get better every day. And that’s what really kinda excites me about this whole thing – I know how much I’ve grown since the last time I talked to you. I know how much I’ve improved since the first time I stepped foot in Duke’s gym. And looking at June or July as a fight date I get kinda (excited) thinking how much better I’m gonna be from now until then. I get better every day.”
While UFC President Dana White recently claimed that the promotion would likely have Punk make his fighting debut at UFC 199 in June, as opposed to the landmark UFC 200 in July. Punk, however, prefers the big event because of the big money that comes with it, although he is quick to point out that it’s not the money that is fueling his competitive ambition.
“It’s really kinda weird,” Punk said. “Yeah, I’d rather be on (UFC) 200 because monetarily I’d be making more money, and that’s the big show. But I’m not doing this whole thing for money, so it almost kinda doesn’t matter to me. But since it’s only a month later it’s like ‘oh yeah, why don’t we push it?.'”
As noted, the UFC revealed their intentions for Punk’s UFC debut, announcing that at UFC 196 in February, Mickey Gall will be fighting Michael Jackson in a preliminary bout and with a win, will officially get penciled in as Punk’s first-ever UFC opponent. As Punk explains he doesn’t mind the fact that Gall called him out after his MMA debut, which was shown on Dana White’s “Lookin’ For A Fight” reality show, because where he comes from, that is standard procedure.
“Absolutely. It’s not like all the other guys talking behind a computer,” said Punk. “He recognized his audience, he knew he had Dana’s ear – he was front row and center for his first fight – and he called me out.”
Punk continued, “I wouldn’t say it was calculated. It was right place, right time and he did what he had to do. He didn’t let that opportunity slip through his fingers.”
Despite the WWE-like call-out, and the fact that Punk has confirmed he will be using his former WWE ring name of “CM Punk” instead of his real name (Phil Brooks), he insists that he won’t be “fabricating his persona” during the build-up to his Octagon debut.
“I have no plans to have any kind of a fabricated persona. But if it gets personal I’m sure I’d have a dozen quick-witted things to say. But I don’t really feel the need that it’s gonna get personal. I’ve got nothing personal against him. I’m gonna beat him up and choke him – and it’s just business.”
In another example of his rising confidence, Punk explained why whoever he fights will be in for a rude awakening when his first UFC fight is in the books.
“I’m a mystery,” said Punk. “A lot of people like to throw that pro wrestling card out there, like ‘he’s a fake wrestler’ and that’s great. That’s great for me. I want them to think that. I want them to think that I’m not training and they’re in for an easy night, because it’s the exact opposite. It’s going to be a rude awakening for whoever I fight, if that’s their attitude about it.”
In terms of people doubting him, Punk explains why they will be disappointed and if they put their money where their mouths are, they will come to realize they are backing the wrong horse.
“I expect people to be disappointed,” Punk explained. “I expect all those people that think I’m gonna get knocked out in 10 seconds to be disappointed. I expect people to bet against me and lose their money. I expect people to get divorced because they’re upset that their wife wanted me to win and they wanted me to lose, you know?”
Punk concluded, “But the people who have stood by me and supported me know it’s business as usual. They know what kind of person I am and they know how I am at the gym. And once that cage door shuts it’s between one minute and 15 minutes before the fight ends and my hand gets raised.”
While from the start CM Punk has made it clear that his signing with the UFC would not turn out to be a celebrity one-and-done type of situation, but until recently, it wasn’t known just how many fights the former WWE Superstar would be committing to. Now, it is. Punk spoke with The U.K. Sun this week and revealed that he will be fighting “at least” eight times.
“I can’t honestly answer how many (fights) I’m gonna have,” Punk said to the U.K. media outlet. “We’ll wait and see how the first one goes. But there’s gonna be eight, at least.”
Following the announcement by the UFC regarding how they plan to handle his Octagon debut, we have learned more about Punk’s MMA endeavor in the last week than the several months that preceded it. It appears that during that year, while fans weren’t getting much information, Punk was, in fact, getting the training — and confidence — required to succeed in the sport.
“Can I say a thousand percent,” Punk said with a chuckle when asked how much he has improved after training intensely with Duke Roufus at the Roufusport Gym in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the past six months.
Punk continued, “Because I get better every day. And that’s what really kinda excites me about this whole thing – I know how much I’ve grown since the last time I talked to you. I know how much I’ve improved since the first time I stepped foot in Duke’s gym. And looking at June or July as a fight date I get kinda (excited) thinking how much better I’m gonna be from now until then. I get better every day.”
While UFC President Dana White recently claimed that the promotion would likely have Punk make his fighting debut at UFC 199 in June, as opposed to the landmark UFC 200 in July. Punk, however, prefers the big event because of the big money that comes with it, although he is quick to point out that it’s not the money that is fueling his competitive ambition.
“It’s really kinda weird,” Punk said. “Yeah, I’d rather be on (UFC) 200 because monetarily I’d be making more money, and that’s the big show. But I’m not doing this whole thing for money, so it almost kinda doesn’t matter to me. But since it’s only a month later it’s like ‘oh yeah, why don’t we push it?.'”
As noted, the UFC revealed their intentions for Punk’s UFC debut, announcing that at UFC 196 in February, Mickey Gall will be fighting Michael Jackson in a preliminary bout and with a win, will officially get penciled in as Punk’s first-ever UFC opponent. As Punk explains he doesn’t mind the fact that Gall called him out after his MMA debut, which was shown on Dana White’s “Lookin’ For A Fight” reality show, because where he comes from, that is standard procedure.
“Absolutely. It’s not like all the other guys talking behind a computer,” said Punk. “He recognized his audience, he knew he had Dana’s ear – he was front row and center for his first fight – and he called me out.”
Punk continued, “I wouldn’t say it was calculated. It was right place, right time and he did what he had to do. He didn’t let that opportunity slip through his fingers.”
Despite the WWE-like call-out, and the fact that Punk has confirmed he will be using his former WWE ring name of “CM Punk” instead of his real name (Phil Brooks), he insists that he won’t be “fabricating his persona” during the build-up to his Octagon debut.
“I have no plans to have any kind of a fabricated persona. But if it gets personal I’m sure I’d have a dozen quick-witted things to say. But I don’t really feel the need that it’s gonna get personal. I’ve got nothing personal against him. I’m gonna beat him up and choke him – and it’s just business.”
In another example of his rising confidence, Punk explained why whoever he fights will be in for a rude awakening when his first UFC fight is in the books.
“I’m a mystery,” said Punk. “A lot of people like to throw that pro wrestling card out there, like ‘he’s a fake wrestler’ and that’s great. That’s great for me. I want them to think that. I want them to think that I’m not training and they’re in for an easy night, because it’s the exact opposite. It’s going to be a rude awakening for whoever I fight, if that’s their attitude about it.”
In terms of people doubting him, Punk explains why they will be disappointed and if they put their money where their mouths are, they will come to realize they are backing the wrong horse.
“I expect people to be disappointed,” Punk explained. “I expect all those people that think I’m gonna get knocked out in 10 seconds to be disappointed. I expect people to bet against me and lose their money. I expect people to get divorced because they’re upset that their wife wanted me to win and they wanted me to lose, you know?”
Punk concluded, “But the people who have stood by me and supported me know it’s business as usual. They know what kind of person I am and they know how I am at the gym. And once that cage door shuts it’s between one minute and 15 minutes before the fight ends and my hand gets raised.”
