Did UFC Set CM Punk Up for Failure?

Was CM Punk’s failed debut a result of being pushed too soon by the UFC?

CM Punk lost his UFC debut. The real question that follows is, did the UFC set CM Punk up for failure? Punk quickly became a hated hero with the UFC promotions used to make him look like the average guy getting a shot in the UFC, but CM Punk was not average. CM Punk was the not-so average guy with a very big name. The UFC used every opportunity imaginable to promote the name CM Punk, but did they ever look at the man beyond the name and stop to think that maybe this isn’t the best idea?

Punk went down fast against Mickey Gall, so fast in fact, that it has led to speculation of if he ever belonged there in the first place. All of the buildup, special interviews,mini-documentaries, and promotions that quickly sold out the Quicken Loans Arena at 18,875 people for $2.6 million. The majority of the masses showing up just to see exactly what was handed to them in a CM Punk failed experiment. Rumors of Punk not doing well have been circulating for quite some time and the fact that numerous injuries continued pushing his debut further away was not helping things, but how did Dana White not see the outcome that almost everyone expected. Or did he?

Punk’s brutal loss confirmed everything that UFC diehards have said ever since CM Punk’s UFC signing was revealed. It has also tarnished the memory that fans have had distilled in their brains of the “Cult of Personality” and his infamous “pipe bomb” from 2011, and his legendary WWE Championship run. Many of CM Punk’s fans and even a few of those who wouldn’t have normally backed him feel that Punk’s UFC run was admirable, as it most definitely is. However, a buildup that big, followed by a loss like that will not have a great effect on Punk’s future in the UFC. Especially, when you factor in the no-name that Dana White brought in specifically to face Punk.

You would think that bringing in an inexperienced MMA fighter would have helped Punk’s cause, but in this case, Mickey Gall was most likely a poor choice. Gall had not made a name for himself prior to calling out Punk in White’s presence, but he has been seen as a rising UFC star ever since. Not only did Gall have the required background experience in MMA, but he also had the opportunity of a win prior to their fight. Gall wasn’t just trying to get his foot in the door as was perceived by most, he was trying to build a name for himself against an already well known figure and this is exactly what he got. Now he is every UFC diehards hero that saved the image of UFC vs the “fake wrestling” industry.

The buildup in itself was clearly a way to make money of off an already popular, household name in CM Punk. CM Punk has even stated as much in interview’s prior to his debut even saying that he was not ready to announce his signing with UFC two years ago according to MMA Weekly , but that he was pushed to do so. In his post fight interview, Punk also confirmed what many thought should have been the case beforehand, which is that he wanted to start at the bottom, but the “opportunity” presented itself. So it wasn’t as if he pushed for this or even that he asked for it. Punk was brought an offer that couldn’t be denied.

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While many were speculating the fail of Punk’s debut, promoters, including Dana White himself were predicting at least an even matchup between himself and Gall, which was definitely not the case. Punk’s coach Duke Roufus said he was ready, as did his teammates, but did anyone really expect that with a prominent fight on the horizon that they would say that Punk isn’t going to succeed? The people who should have known better, are the very ones who put the offer on the table to begin with. Aside from that, it was even said that Punk got a pass from the Ohio Athletic Commission on not having a 5 fight history in MMA because of his pro wrestling experience according to MMA Junkie.

Now that the money has been pocketed and the UFC’s status on wrestling promotions has been upheld, CM Punk is still well known, but as what? He is no longer the egotistical fan favorite who bulked up to authority, baffled us with his words, left us in awe of his abilities, and the “Second City Saint” that fans loved to hate. Punk’s name now has the wrestler who failed miserably in his UFC debut tagged to it. Vince and Triple H are probably celebrating the demise of a CM Punk era at this very moment. One that they had hoped would have ended a couple years ago when CM Punk last entertained the world with his skills in a WWE ring. Have we seen the last of the Second City Saint”?

Will CM Punk fight again in the UFC, as he said he would in his post fight interview? Does anyone think that he should?

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