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MMA

07th Sep 2016

CM Punk boldly predicts how his mixed martial arts debut will play out

Not short of confidence

Darragh Murphy

CM Punk’s MMA debut could literally go any way, although oddsmakers are pretty confident that none of them will be pleasant for the former WWE superstar.

Punk, real name Phil Brooks, is a considerable underdog going into his first ever bout and it’s somewhat understandable given his age, lack of training time and absence of any amateur experience whatsoever.

After less than two years working under the expert eyes of Duke Roufus, Punk will set foot in the Octagon on Saturday night in the very same venue at which he bowed out of his professional wrestling career.

The Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland plays host to arguably the most anticipated UFC debut of all time and Punk, 37, is 3/1 to come out on top against Gall, who has already shone under the bright UFC lights.

CM Punk Q&A

But the former star attraction of Vince McMahon is not short of confidence ahead of the fight, which will be the third bout on this weekend’s UFC 203 main card.

“I see my hand getting raised,” Punk said on a recent media conference call. “I’m not one for making predictions and I’m not sure if Conor’s hat would fit my head. I don’t know if he’s got a large head or a small one, but I’m not trying to wear Conor’s hat, I’m not trying to wear anybody else’s hat. I’m just trying to be me, do my thing.

“I definitely see myself winning and if I had to pick, I’d say TKO.”

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