We wouldn’t blame CM Punk for being a little apprehensive right about now.
Thus far, the former WWE superstar had been preparing for a mixed martial arts debut against a nameless, faceless opponent but that all disappeared on Saturday night
Punk, real name Phil Brooks, was introduced to his first opponent at UFC Fight Night 82 as Mickey Gall earned his shot at a massive payday in impressive circumstances.
Ya @CMPunk is pumped to have a face & a name to take into camp! pic.twitter.com/nHr6BJTpKH
— UFC (@ufc) February 7, 2016
UFC president Dana White had claimed prior to this weekend that, should Gall get past Mike Jackson on the Fight Pass prelims, that he would be awarded the CM Punk bout.
And, boy, did Gall get past him.
The New Jersey welterweight, identified by White on his show Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight, proved himself a worthy contender when he submitted Jackson, a reporter by trade, via rear naked choke in the first minute.
So it’s Brooks vs. Gall and the former was given the opportunity to meet his opponent shortly after the final bell as he took to the octagon for the first time to shake hands with Gall and make the fight official.
After a spectacular performance by @MickeyGall, @CMPunk now has an opponent! #UFCVegas https://t.co/sU1gct1OIo
— #UFCVegas (@ufc) February 7, 2016
While no date has yet been set, rumblings in the MMA world suggest that Dana White is targetting UFC 199 for one of the most anticipated match-ups of the year.
