While CM Punk’s recent surgery has cast doubt as to whether he will ever compete inside the Octagon, Roufusport training partner Emmanuel Sanchez remains confident that the former sports entertainment superstar will follow through on his plan to be a UFC fighter.
“Absolutely,” said Sanchez, who faces Daniel Pineda at Bellator 149 on Feb. 19. “…It’s a slight surgery that he’s got to go through. The guy is always at the gym and he’s always working hard and he’s always trying to evolve — in gi class and our striking classes and our pro practices. He’s gonna make it happen. He’s gonna go out there and put on a damn good show.”
Punk had finally received an opponent for his debut date when Mickey Gall submitted Mike Jackson in the opening stanza at UFC Fight Night “Hendricks vs. Thompson.” When interviewed backstage, Punk appeared excited to have a name and face attached to his first fight, but as it turned out, the Chicago native already knew he had to have surgery before Gall entered the mix.
Punk’s recovery period from the procedure is expected to be four to six weeks, but it seems that will be enough to keep him from fighting this summer on one of the promotion’s major pay-per-view events. It is currently unknown when the 37-year-old will make his first UFC appearance. Sanchez discussed how Punk’s former profession has played a role in his issues now.
“You’ve got to give the guy some credit. Yeah, he came from pro wrestling, but that takes a toll on your body too,” Sanchez said. “You’ve got to imagine being on the road, getting slammed — even though it’s all choreographed. It takes a toll on your body. He’s done his fair share of partying too; he’s told us some stories. In your young wonder years it takes a toll on your body now. He’s paying for it now a little bit.”