CM Punk was once a WWE champion before retiring from wrestling in 2014, then chose to sign on to the UFC later that year.
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Speaking to TMZ reporters after UFC 203, McGregor gave props to Punk (real name Phil Brooks) for transitioning from pro wrestling to mixed martial arts, even if he did get dominated in his debut fight against Gall. Gall, by contrast, received a total of $30,000 for the match – $15,000 as a base salary and another $15,000 for scoring the victory. The first being the night he married fellow former WWE superstar AJ Lee, about whom he got very emotional, talking about the support she’s given him in the year leading up to fight night.
“My initial venture into this was gonna be at the lowest level”, Punk said at the post-fight press conference. Then they’re going to know me more. That’s why I’m excited to get going still. I think all of us CM Punk fans would like to move on from this and erase this moment from our memories. That got me nervous If I got this sick and this huge opportunity I’m going to have to really, I wasn’t going to pull out but I was anxious I’d have to go through and wanting to crap my trousers half the time. No, but who’s to say where I go from here. I know two-year guys. I 100 percent need to prove myself still. That’s just who I am. I lost and it sucks and it was lopsided and it’s upsetting. “But come fight time, I felt good and there was nothing going to stop me”.
“People can say I didn’t belong here”. I will be back, believe it or not, ‘ Punk added. “Since I was 16, every decision I made in my life was towards being here. I was happy I did it”.
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The main event was the heavyweight battle between Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem, also ending in the first round. I doubt he will try UFC again.
