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Former WWE star Phil ‘CM Punk’ Brooks finally has date for UFC debut

There is finally a date set for the long-awaited UFC debut of Phil Brooks.

Again.

The former professional wrestler known as “CM Punk” is expected to fight Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 10.

Brooks announced the date during an appearance on the UFC-produced podcast, Unfiltered.

The bout has been in the works for some time.

Brooks announced he would leave the WWE to sign with the UFC in 2014, but acknowledged he would need time to train in the sport before actually stepping into the cage.

When he said he was ready, UFC officials thought they had found a suitable opponent in Gall, who was signed after his successful pro debut aired as a part of UFC president Dana White’s reality show, “Lookin’ For a Fight.”

Gall was promised the fight against Brooks should he beat Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night 82 in February and Gall came through with a first-round submission victory.

Brooks, 37, appeared in the cage afterwards to promote the potential bout against Gall, but Brooks announced days later he would be forced to withdraw due to an injury.

Now, he says he is ready to go.

For his part, Gall elected to wait for Brooks to get healthy instead of risking the high-profile bout by taking a fight in the interim.

A heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and hometown champion Stipe Miocic will headline the card.

Ben Rothwell and former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum will also square off, as will women’s bantamweights Jessica Eye and Bethe Correia.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.

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