CM Punk is closer than ever to finally making his UFC debut.
The former WWE Superstar has encountered many obstacles on his road to the Octagon, but he is still training for his debut fight against Mickey Gall and the MMA promotion is closing in on locking down a date.
MMA Fighting reporter Ariel Helwani tweeted that the UFC is currently in the process of working out Punk's first fight and is targeting UFC 203, which takes place on Sept. 10.
Current plan at the moment is CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall at UFC 203, per sources. Far from a done deal but that's the direction as of this AM.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 21, 2016
The "Best in the World" bolted from the WWE in January 2014 despite being under contract, and his deal eventually expired that June. When December rolled around that year, it was announced the former WWE Champion -- who has never had an MMA fight -- signed a two-year deal with the promotion.
Punk, 37, has many people and pundits doubting him, but he believes he'll make a smooth transition into the Octagon. He'll face a huge challenge in the 24-year-old Gall, who is unbeaten in his brief UFC career thus far.
UFC 203 will emanate from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland and is headlined by UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic's defense against Alistair Overeem.
There were rumors that Punk would face Gall at UFC 202, which ironically takes place on the eve of WWE SummerSlam on Aug. 20, but it seems the UFC is eyeing the following month's event instead.
Though he signed with the UFC over a year and a half ago, Punk has yet to fight due to suffering many setbacks -- including a back injury that caused him to undergo surgery in February.
There have been rumors that Punk's training hasn't quite paid off, but he has no shortage of confidence heading into his first fight.
It appears the UFC is finally close to locking down when and where Punk will enter the cage.
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