Former wrestler CM Punk’s UFC debut delayed by back injury
When Mickey Gall defeated Mike Jackson to officially seal his fate as the first Ultimate Fighting Championship opponent of Phil 'CM Punk" Brooks on Saturday, the biggest question was whether the bout would take place in June or July.
Now there is some doubt whether it will happen at all.
Brooks told MMAFighting.com on Wendnesday he would undergo back surgery due to a herniated disc and will need between four and six weeks to recover from the procedure.
While he told the website it was "just a bump in the road," the timing of the surgery for a 37-year-old former professional wrestler with no mixed martial almost certainly eliminates the possibility he could fight at UFC 199 in June or UFC 200 on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.
Brooks, who posted a picture that appeared to be of himself in a hospital room awaiting surgery on Wednesday, said the problem was a lingering injury from wrestling that he hoped to battle through.
He left the WWE in 2014 and announced his intention to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, signing with the UFC in December of that year.
He has been training with Duke Roufus at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in anticipation of his debut.
Gall was discovered on UFC president Dana White's reality show, "Lookin' For A Fight." After winning his professional debut on a regional show in Philadelphia, he called Brooks out on the microphone.
White signed him to a deal with the promise of a shot at Brooks should he win his UFC debut.
Gall submitted Jackson on the UFC Fight Night 82 card at MGM Grand on Saturday and Brooks was brought into the cage for the staredown.
Days later, the matchup is in doubt.
Gall, however, still has confidence the fight will go on.
"Guys. It's all good. The fight is still on. Minor surgery," he posted on Twitter. "I wish (Brooks) a healthy & speedy recovery. I want you at 100%, check that, #200."
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
