CM Punk’s UFC debut opponent to be Mickey Gall, should Gall win newly booked UFC 196 bout

1-0 fighter Mickey Gall wants to be CM Punk’s debut UFC opponent, but in order to set that up, he’s going to have to become 2-0 fighter Mickey Gall.

UFC President Dana White revealed during an appearance on TSN’s Off The Record that Gall will make his UFC debut next month at UFC 196, and with a win will get his wish to face CM Punk later in the year.

According to White, Gall will face a fighter named Michael Jackson on the UFC Fight Pass prelims for the pay-per-view event, and will then meet the former pro wrestling star with a win. However, Jackson won’t be getting that fight with Punk if he win. Punk himself will be in attendance at the event in Las Vegas.

Gall caught White’s attention as the UFC President hit a local show in Philadelphia for his “Looking for a Fight” YouTube series. Gall won his fight, then called out Punk, and has been trying to ramp up that possibility since the episode debuted.

Penick’s Analysis: This was pretty much to be expected, though it’s a little surprising the UFC’s giving him a fight before the Punk bout. I suppose it allows them to introduce Gall to a potentially larger audience, and have some highlights from which to draw when they book that fight later in the year. Assuming, of course, that Punk’s debut becomes a reality. It’s moving in that direction, but until a fight is officially booked and he’s in that Octagon, there are going to be more than a few skeptics.