Dana White's giving CM Punk ‘another shot’
- Published
And CM Punk's not the only WWE star who could be returning to the UFC this year...
Two of the most recognisable WWE superstars of recent years could be set to return to the UFC octagon in 2018.
Former WWE superstar CM Punk - real name Phil Brooks - has been linked with a UFC comeback in 2018 and Dana White has now gone on the record to say he’s ready to give him another bout in the octagon.
“I like that guy. He’s a good dude,” White told the Associated Press this week.
“He wants one more. He wants to get another shot. I’m going to give it to him.”
CM Punk’s debut outing in the octagon couldn’t have gone much worse. He failed to land a single punch as he was instantly taken down and submitted by New Jersey prospect Mickey Gall at UFC 203., external
That was back in September 2016 and now the Detroit-based former pro wrestler is thought to be keen on a second shot in the octagon.
White said he’s “working on it,” explaining that CM Punk’s involvement with the UFC isn’t the same as most athletes that sign with the promotion.
“He’s a completely different case than most normal human beings,” he said. “So I’m going to give him another shot."
CM Punk isn’t the only notable wrestler to be linked with a return, however, with former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE superstar Brock Lesnar also a potential returnee.
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White suggested he’d be interested in bringing ‘The Beast’ back to the UFC for a third stint with the organisation following two high-profile runs with the UFC.
Lesnar lost his UFC debut to former world champion Frank Mir at UFC 81 in 2008, but bounced back, defeating UFC legend Randy Couture to win the UFC heavyweight title, then exacting revenge on interim champion Mir as he unified the titles at UFC 100 in July 2009.
He would eventually go on to lose his belt to Cain Velasquez before stepping away from the octagon following a damaging TKO loss to Alistair Overeem in December 2011.
Four and a half years later, Lesnar returned for a bout with Mark Hunt at UFC 200. The WWE superstar won the bout, but then had the result wiped out after it was revealed he’d failed USADA drug tests before and after the fight. That indiscretion saw Lesnar banned for a year by both USADA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Those bans have now been served, meaning Lesnar would be free to return, and White hinted he isn’t opposed to the idea of bringing Lesnar back into the fold. Indeed, the UFC president believes Lesnar will want to come back.
“I think he’ll give it one more run,” White said.
“I just think Brock loves to fight.”
Big stars set for 2018 returns?
In addition to CM Punk and Lesnar, White also offered his take on a handful of the UFC’s other big-name stars.
Speaking to Canadian outlet TSN, White hinted that we could potentially see 2018 returns from Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones, but ruled out a return for trailblazing former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who looks to be moving in the opposite direction, and a potential stint with the WWE.
