If CM Punk was curious as to what it was like to be a UFC fighter, he certainly knows now. The former professional wrestler was summarily dismantled at the hands (and fists) of Mickey Gall last at last weekend's UFC 203 in Cleveland and the question remains: where does he go now?
While Punk is deservedly receiving credit for stepping into the cage, as well as committing to high level training for the best part of two years, trading the squared circle for the octagon is seems to be a step beyond anyone not named Brock Lesnar. And, judging by his comments to Gall immediately after the fight, Punk learned that lesson the hard way.
Throughout fight week, Gall told the media that he found it incredible that his face was plastered across the official poster for the event despite being a relative newcomer. On the conclusion of their fight, CM Punk had some words of encouragement for the youngster.
He said to the man who submitted him:
Listen to me. Don't ever say you don't belong. OK. You always belong. You've got to believe in yourself. You're obviously a better man than I am. OK. Don't ever short yourself. Everyone wants to short you. You know, I believed in myself. You've got to believe in yourself as much as I believe in me.
Punk maintains that his MMA journey isn't over but it's unlikely that we'll see him throw leather in the UFC anytime soon. His current skill level demands that he be placed opposite a fighter of commensurate ability. Gall, who had just two pro fights under his belt when he stepped into the cage last weekend, exposed the vast chasm between the two fighters so where does CM Punk go now?
His contract most likely stipulates that he cannot sign a deal with Bellator so, with that off the table and the fact that he has been granted a pro license which would be an obstacle in the way of actually getting any amateur bouts (which is what he really needs), there's really only one eventual destination that makes sense: Japan.
Punk's professional wrestling profile would translate perfectly to the Japanse market where Rizin is currently the number one promotion. The Japanese MMA culture was essentially built upon professional wrestling. The first ever fight in PRIDE FC (for a while the number one MMA promotion on earth) was between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie and Nobohiko Takada - the latter of whom was a hugely successful pro wrestler at the time.
The ex-WWE performer Alberto Del Rios has also competed in PRIDE where, for some reason, they put him up against Mirko Cro Cop. Kazushi Sakuraba, one of the most famous names in PRIDE history, came from a pro wrestling background. Brock Lesnar had his first ever MMA fight in Japan.
The Japanese public have a fondness for 'freakshow' fights and until his skillset proves otherwise, that is essentially the role that CM Punk will fulfill until he proves otherwise.
But you get the sense though that this isn't a challenge CM Punk will shy away from.
