In September of 2016, pro wrestling star CM Punk made his long-awaited first steps into the Octagon against young prospect Mickey Gall. Punk did so with little in the way of martial arts experience – and it showed. Seconds into the first round, he was plowed to the mat by his young foe, where he was brutalized with ground and pound, and ultimately, tied up in a rear-naked choke and forced to tap.
Since the disastrous UFC debut, there has been much discussion about Punk’s fighting future. There are those that think the heart he displayed against Gall should earn him another shot in the UFC’s Octagon. There are those who believe that any additional Punk fights should occur in a smaller, less mainstream MMA promotion. There are those that just don’t care. And then there’s radio host Jason Ellis, who has recently been gunning for a fight in the Octagon with the pro wrestling veteran.
I texted Dana. I emailed Duke. I've tweeted Punk. This week I will get an answer, if he ducks you can't say I didn't try. #ellisvspunk
— Jason Ellis (@EllisMate) January 30, 2017
As the Tweet above shows, Ellis has recently made some real efforts to make this fight happen, texting UFC President Dana White, emailing Punk’s head coach duke Roufus, and Tweeting Punk himself.
Ellis, of course, is no stranger to the world of combat sports. Though he doesn’t have a whole lot more experience than Punk does, he’s partaken in a number of fights – some of which have been incredibly bizarre.
He made his MMA debut in 2009, taking out Tony Gianopulos with a guillotine choke. Several years later, he took on UFC veteran Gave Ruediger in a celebrity boxing match, and won by KO. After defeating Ruediger in a rematch by decision, Ellis then took a short break from combat sports, before returning to the ring in 2016 for a boxing match with former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin, who fought with one arm tied behind his back – yes, you read that correctly. Despite this handicap, Carwin won the fight by knockout.
So, as ridiculous as a CM Punk vs. Jason Ellis fight would be at a glance, the two stars at least have similar experience levels. Would you be interested in seeing this fight in the Octagon? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/30/2017.