Former WWE Superstar CM Punk Books His Next Fight at UFC 225 in Chicago
CM Punk is back.
The former WWE superstar turned mixed martial artist will face off with Mike “The Truth” Jackson in a welterweight bout scheduled for UFC 225 in Chicago on June 9.
UFC officials announced the pairing on Thursday.
He's back! @CMPunk returns to face Mike Jackson at #UFC225!
? https://t.co/BsFbCQyvty pic.twitter.com/IYB2JbGy7j
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 12, 2018
For Punk (real name Phil Brooks) this will serve as a second chance for the MMA enthusiast to get a win in the UFC after coming up short in his first attempt.
Back at UFC 203 in September 2016, Punk was soundly defeated by Mickey Gall via first round submission as the former pro wrestler was thumped in a fight that ultimately lasted less than three minutes.
Not to be deterred, Punk resumed his training under head coach Duke Roufus to prepare for a second UFC fight and now he’ll get his chance while performing in front of his hometown Chicago crowd.
Meanwhile, Jackson will also be making his second appearance in the UFC after he was also submitted by Gall in 2016 when they were vying for a shot to face Punk later in the year.
Jackson has been calling for the fight with Punk for the past year and now he’ll finally get his opportunity when they clash at UFC 225 in June.
Contracts are signed, now it’s #Official #Official, @CMPunk! #TruthvsPunk at #UFC225… don’t come for me, @usantidoping! https://t.co/E2EBFsELMs pic.twitter.com/DxcMBQuDwW
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) April 12, 2018
Punk vs. Jackson is the latest addition to a growing UFC 225 card that also includes a middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero as well as Rafael dos Anjos taking on Colby Covington to crown a new interim welterweight champion.