CM Punk’s UFC debut has been delayed into 2016 by injury, but UFC President Dana White insists the former pro wrestler will fight, and he’s in the process of determining against just whom.
In an interview with TSN’s Off The Record program, White said the web series he’s working on with Matt Serra, “Dana White: Looking For a Fight,” will result in an opponent for the man born Phillip Brooks.
“I didn’t know [what to expect with Punk’s fighting timetable]. It was the first time this guy has ever trained,” White said (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com). “The guy has never wrestled. He professional wrestled, but he never wrestled… [But] he will fight next year, 100 percent.
“I just started a new show, the pilot is on YouTube, it’s called ‘Dana White: Looking for a Fight,’ and I’m actually out looking for opponents for CM Punk right now.”
The web series has White attending regional events around the country along with Serra in an attempt to find new talent for the UFC. That pilot episode resulted in the signing of one Sage Northcutt.
Penick’s Analysis: That’s the right move. They need to find someone with relatively little experience so that it’s not only a competitive and realistic matchup, but one they can get a commission to sanction. It’s gimmicky no matter how you look at it, but they’re giving Punk an opportunity, and it was never going to be against someone with a ton of experience, or someone with an established name in the UFC.
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