Following CM Punk’s debut and subsequent loss at UFC 203 Saturday night, UFC President Dana White had some doubting words about Punk’s value to the company as well as his future within the Octagon.
Videos by ComicBook.com
In an interview with Fight Network, White answered some questions about the main event card, but when the subject came up about the CM Punk “experiment”, White defended the man he came to know as a friend but was blunt in where his future lies within the company.
“I wouldn’t know if it was an experiment,” White replied. “I became friends with him, he’s a nice guy and I have a lot of respect for him. He wanted me to give him a shot, I gave him a shot.”
White followed up with his thoughts on Punk’s next fight and if it would be in the UFC, which he didn’t think was a good idea.
“He probably shouldn’t have his next fight in the UFC. Just like I said with Brock, having your first fight with the UFC is tough, and you see tonight, even if it’s up against a guy who’s 2-0, this is a tough place to learn.”
It’s true that Brock Lesnar also lost his UFC debut fight against Frank Mir, but was given another fight with Heath Herring and eventually became UFC Heavyweight Champion, but at Punk’s age and the physical wear and tear of years of being a professional wrestler doesn’t make things optimal for a career in the UFC. There are several more fighting promotions Punk could become a marquee name in if White doesn’t feel like he’s living up to his potential within the company, but it might be a smarter move to start up amateur fighting for the time being.
Then again, there’s always comics.
