CM Punk has many doubters as he makes his transition from the WWE ring to the UFC Octagon, but UFC president Dana White is not one of them.
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Of course, it's worth noting that White knew that Punk could be a potential draw so he's not going to doubt him, but White gave a vote of confidence and threw heavy praise toward the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
"His training is...first of all let me start by saying this, the respect that this guy has earned from his team and his coaches, he's a dog man," White told TMZ. "He actually just moved to Milwaukee so he could be closer to training and he's committed to this thing. Guy's an absolute stud and a joy to work with. He's looking phenomenal."
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As for his debut inside the cage, White said that Punk, who is training out of Roufusport in Milwaukee, likely won't have his first fight until 2016.
"His deal is he can call me, when he's ready to fight he calls me." White said. "And it's on man, I'm thinking early next year."
It was initially reported when Punk signed with UFC last December that he would likely have his first fight in the Octagon in late 2015, but he then acknowledged that he would be pushing it back to 2016, which White just confirmed.
Punk left the WWE in January 2014 due to frustration over his creative use and also due to being asked to work hurt on several occasions.
Punk's final night with Vince McMahon's organization proved to be Royal Rumble 2014 and he claimed in an interview with his good friend Colt Cabana that company doctor Chris Amann misdiagnosed him on several occasions, including a concussion he claimed to have suffered during that event.
Dr. Amann swiftly responded with a defamation lawsuit against Punk and Cabana, leading to Punk's real-life wife AJ Lee retiring from the WWE.
Now, he's set to fight in the Octagon and White believes he's going to be just fine, despite his many detractors.
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