CM Punk UFC Debut Delayed Yet Again

CM Punk detractors are going to have some more ammunition, as the former WWE Champion will have his UFC debut delayed yet again. He'll be undergoing back surgery to repair a herniated disc, according to MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani.

Punk told Helwani that his back is something that has always bothered him, and he figured that it was simply professional wrestling injuries. As it turns out, it was.

"It got bad enough to the point where I couldn't do anything the week before I went to train with the New Jersey Devils last month. One day I could manage, the next day I couldn't. I've been in agony for almost a month. Chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, cryotherapy, nothing worked," Punk told MMA Fighting.

See Also: Early Betting Odds For CM Punk's UFC Debut Fight

CM Punk was linked to both July's UFC 200 and June's UFC 199 to take on Mickey Gall. Gall defeated Mike Jackson at last weekend's UFC Fight Night 82 to earn the right to take on Punk in his UFC debut.

Many fans, fighters and media have speculated that Punk's UFC career is simply a publicity stunt, and that he has no intent to fight. According to my sources close to the camp, Punk has always had the actual intent to fight, along with his trainers at Roufusport. Punk, 37, still insists he will fight in the UFC.

The Legendary Dealat contributed to this article.