CM Punk's Coach Gives Update On His Second UFC Fight, Says First Beating Is "Motivation"
CM Punk's UFC debut in at UFC 203 in September 2016 didn't go exactly has he planned, as he took a one-sided beating from Mickey Gall en route to losing by first-round submission. But Punk has continued training in hopes of improving, and his head coach said he's more motivated than ever to put on a better performance.
Punk, who had never fought a Mixed Martial Arts fight in his life, was thoroughly dominated in his debut. Gall, a young undefeated prospect, took him down seconds into the fight and beat him up for sinking in a rear-naked choke for the win. Duke Roufus, who coaches Punk at Roufusport in Milwaukee, said the loss has pushed him to train harder and revealed that his second fight is on the horizon.
"(UFC President Dana White) and the matchmakers had their weekly matchmaking meeting yesterday, and we'll get some news soon," Roufus said on the UFC Unfiltered podcast. "Just think the first time you step in the Octagon, there's something special you've got to deal with getting in there. For Punk, this sounds really weird, but now he knows what a beating feels like ? a real beating."
At 39 years old, Punk has a small window for a successful career in MMA. Now that he knows what a real beating feels like, he will most likely be more comfortable the next time he steps into the octagon, regardless of his opponent. Roufus said Punk has learned and grown from his experience.
"I think (a loss like Punk's at UFC 203) will help a lot of fighters to the point of haunting them, like, 'No, I don't want to feel this way ever again,'" Roufus said. "It's not the physical. These guys are tough. It's the mental anguish. You don't want to feel that depressing, embarrassing feeling of getting beat up in front of God and everyone. It's no fun. It's been great motivation for him."
Source: MMA Junkie