Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) champion CM Punk made his highly anticipated octagon debut against Mickey Gall at last night’s UFC 203 event in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>\n
The bout served as Punk’s first ever professional mixed martial arts fight and came against a very young and talented prospect, Gall, who had gone 2-0 thus far in his professional MMA career.<\/p>\n
When the fight started Punk eagerly rushed across the cage in hopes of exchanging punches with his opponent. Gall quickly seized the opportunity and used Punk’s forward momentum to score an early takedown. Once on the ground Mickey was able to advance his positioning, while dropping some heavy ground and pound on the former professional wrestling star. Gall eventually took Punk’s back and began working on a rear-naked choke submission. Punk was able to fight off Gall’s first submission attempt but eventually succumbed to a second and much tighter rear-naked choke lock.<\/p>\n
Following the fight many fans were quick to point fingers and laugh at CM Punk on social media for his first-round loss to Mickey Gall. However, more than a handful of fighters who actually know what it takes to make the walk to the octagon shared their praise for Punk’s effort and courage last night:<\/p>\n
\n. @CMPunk<\/a> Thanks for stepping in the octagon #respect<\/a> #UFC203<\/a> @ufc<\/a><\/p>\n
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) September 11, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n