CM Punk's UFC debut pushed back after shoulder injury

Connor Casey

CM Punk's UFC debut pushed back after shoulder injury image

Fans who have been patiently waiting for former pro wrestler CM Punk to make his UFC debut will have to wait a little longer.  

Punk, real name Phil Brooks, suffered a shoulder injury this week while training at the Roufusport Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee, Wis., according to ESPN.com.

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"He got caught in a scramble, so right now he's taking a little time off," Punk's trainer, Duke Roufus, told ESPN. "He was doing great before that. His progress has been good. He's got a great attitude and he's a hard worker. He got a place in Milwaukee where he lives all week when he's here training, so he's in it to win it."

The former WWE champion signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC in December 2014. Having no professional experience in mixed martial arts, Roufus said Punk was "50 percent" ready for his debut fight, which fans should expect within the next 6-10 months.

"The UFC will probably book him a fight three to four months in advance — a guy of his magnitude. We're probably looking at a fight in the next six to 10 months. The injury throws us back one month. We had a ballpark. We were looking at mid- to late-spring. Now, we'll just have to see how he comes back from the injury."

Punk is scheduled to see a physician on Oct. 14, at which point he could be cleared to return to training.

 

Connor Casey