- CM Punk says his decision to start MMA late in life limited his chances in the UFC.
- The WWE star lost to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 and had his UFC 225 result against Mike Jackson later ruled a no contest.
- Punk calls his UFC run a “bucket list” goal but admits starting at 37 was a major mistake.
H2: CM Punk says he started MMA too late
Phil Brooks — better known as CM Punk — told Chef Donny on the YouTube show “What’s For Lunch” that his age was the biggest factor working against him in the UFC. Punk says he has no regrets about stepping into the Octagon, but now recognizes the cost of beginning mixed martial arts training later in life.
“I wish I started sooner. That’s the only thing, I started so late, I was already old,” Punk said. “It was just kind of like a bucket list thing, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t take it seriously. I trained my a– off… but yeah, I started way too late, it’s a young man’s game.”
Watch the full appearance on Chef Donny’s “What’s For Lunch”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti1sMz7mz4Y
H3: Two Octagon outings — quick history
Punk made his UFC debut at 37 and competed twice. His first fight ended in a loss to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in 2016; Gall finished Punk in just over two minutes. Punk’s second fight came at UFC 225 in 2018 against Mike Jackson. That contest originally went the distance and was judged a loss for Punk, but the result was later overturned to a no contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.
Both fights drew heavy attention because of Punk’s mainstream profile as a professional wrestler and entertainer. Punk has said repeatedly that fighting in the UFC was a personal goal — a bucket-list item he wanted to check off.
H3: Why timing and experience matter
Punk noted that while he trained hard and worked with established coaches — including a public tribute to the late Duke Roufus — there are limits to what late starts can overcome. Mixed martial arts rewards years of skill development, live sparring, and competitive experience. Entering the UFC at 37 meant Punk faced opponents with far more fighting years and live-fight reps.
He acknowledged that the dedication was genuine, but admitted that the math didn’t favor him: physical peaks, recovery, and time to build an elite skill set all favored younger fighters.
H4: Aftermath and legacy
Punk’s UFC run remains a talking point in combat-sports circles. Dana White criticized Mike Jackson’s performance after UFC 225, and Jackson’s later positive test clouds that event further. Punk’s MMA episode didn’t derail his larger career — he returned to pro wrestling and later reclaimed major titles — but he now frames his UFC stint as an honest, if doomed, experiment.
CM Punk’s message is simple: he’s proud he tried, but he recognizes that starting MMA earlier would have given him a far better shot at success.
Image Referance: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/12/cm-punk-admits-massive-mistake-that-meant-his-ufc-career-was-destined-to-fail/
