Widely hailed as one of the greatest pro wrestlers ever, CM Punk stepped into the unforgiving world of the UFC in 2016, trading scripted slams for real combat. Brimming with confidence, the WWE icon believed he could conquer the Octagon. But reality hit hard. His debut against Mickey Gall was nothing short of a nightmare—made to submit within the first round, Punk was humbled fast. While his WWE legacy is untouchable, his UFC stint became a cautionary tale. If not the worst, Punk ranks among the least successful fighters to ever grace the UFC roster.

So, why did the WWE superstar fail to leave a mark within the UFC realm? Are there any specific reasons behind his failed MMA outing in the greatest fight promotion in the world? Let’s deconstruct why CM Punk’s inclusion into the UFC was nothing but a disaster.

Zero professional MMA experience

When CM Punk was signed by UFC back in 2016, he brought immense star power from the WWE—hoping to replicate the same success as his predecessor Brock Lesner. However, what was absolutely lacking was professional experience in a game that requires mastery of at least one form of combat sports. Lesner had Division-1 wrestling credentials, while Punk only ‘wrestled’ in WWE’s sports entertainment arenas. In a sport where athletes usually grind in regional promotion for years before debuting in the UFC, CM Punk came in without any experience.

Although he trained in BJJ and had a background in pro-wrestling, his credentials paled in comparison to seasoned fighters who were in the game long enough to make themselves killing machines. After his initial fight against Mickey Gall, the UFC CEO, Dana White, understood that Punk is not cut out to be in MMA. He even emphasized that it “probably shouldn’t have happened in the UFC,” acknowledging the disaster that transpired.

Took a Roster spot from more deserving fighters

Every fighter that has ever been signed under the UFC promotion had some utility despite losing. Every contract matters as each fighter is a result of financial and promotional investment by the UFC. So, when CM Punk was signed by the UFC without any prior experience and record in any of the regional promotions, the fighting community saw it as a slap in their face, as fighters who had been bleeding day and night building records were put on hold in favor of stardom.

Even Dana White later said that signing Punk was more about curiosity and star power than competition. Many other fighters like Ben Askren had voiced their concern about CM Punk’s signing, “I’m over here winning world titles, and they’re signing a fake wrestler who’s never fought. That’s all you need to know about the UFC.” Interestingly, Jason David Frank, the late Power Ranger star, even challenged CM Punk to get a UFC contract.

Disappointing in-Octagon performances

Many within the MMA community had some expectations from the WWE  star; however, his performances inside the Octagon, that too against unranked opponents, were nothing but disasters. In his debut battle at UFC 203 against Mikey Gall, CM Punk was completely clueless inside the Octagon as he did little to justify his hype. Gall took him down in seconds and made him submit in a few minutes.

Fans and pundits alike called it a mismatch, and the post-fight narrative was brutal. “He looked like someone who had just walked into an MMA gym a month ago,” one ESPN analyst said. After his humiliating loss against Gall, the UFC pitted him against Mike Jackson at UFC 225. Well, the fight did go to the distance, however, Punk’s performance was painfully awkward and showed minimal improvement. He was outclassed in every department. After the battle, Dana White even asserted that CM Punk should not fight under the promotion ever again.

Damaged the UFC’s credibility with hardcore fans

The UFC has long battled for mainstream legitimacy and respect as a real sport, not just a spectacle. Allowing a celebrity with no real fighting background to walk straight into a pay-per-view slot undermined years of effort to shed the “human cockfighting” image. Hardcore fans, media outlets, and fighters alike criticized the UFC for turning what should be an elite sporting event into a WWE-style publicity stunt.

As one MMA Fighting columnist put it, “This felt like Vince McMahon had booked the UFC card.” Fans weren’t just disappointed with Punk’s performance—they were frustrated with the UFC’s priorities. While the company has certainly made entertainment-driven decisions before, this one crossed a line for many. The Octagon is supposed to represent the pinnacle of combat sports.

Wrong gym, wrong approach

Well, we should give the credits where they’re due; CM Punk did try to prepare for MMA by joining the star-studded Roufusport. But even under the guidance of Duke Roufus, Punk’s development was subpar. Reports from the training partners, as well as various sources, suggest that the WWE star never looked comfortable in any discipline. Many believe that starting MMA at the age of 36 took a toll on CM Punk’s physique.

A strong foundation in a discipline—be it striking or grappling—is the strongest factor for a UFC fighter to excel inside the Octagon, and CM Punk lacked it immensely. According to one MMA analyst, “Fighting is like learning a new language. He wasn’t just starting late—he was trying to learn five dialects at once.” The WWE superstar did try to make it big within the Dana White-led promotion, but what pulled him down were his lackluster performances.

These are the five top reasons why CM Punk’s inclusion in the MMA was a disaster for the promotion. Do you think anything different could have been done for him to perform better than he did? State your opinion in the comments below.