UFC 225: Dana White reveals what he really thinks of CM Punk’s return
UFC 225 - UFC president Dana White has heaped praise on CM Punk for not walking away from mixed martial arts after losing his professional debut.
The former WWE superstar made his bow in MMA's premier promotion at UFC 203, a card which saw him lock horns with Mickey Gall.
As many expected, Punk's maiden fight saw him suffer an emphatic defeat, with Gall submitting him in a little over two minutes.
The 39-year-old makes his return to the Octagon in the early hours of Sunday morning at UFC 225, a card which will see him lock horns with fellow MMA rookie Mike Jackson.
Punk's determination to keep fighting despite the humbling nature of his defeat has impressed White, who believes the Chicago native deserves more credit than he's being given.
“I think - first of all - these guys who have been fighting for years, the first time they come into the UFC they get those UFC jitters, man,” White told TMZ. “It happens.
“Imagine never fighting, it’s your first fight and you're on the big stage.
“Even though this guy has been in big events before, it’s obviously a lot different.
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He has the balls to step in here and put it all on the line
“And he has the balls to step in here and put it all on the line. Not once, but twice. And he’s going to do it again.”
Despite it being nearly two years since he lost to Gall, the bitter taste of defeat is still fresh for Punk, who has vowed to showcase a new and improved version of himself this weekend.
“My first fight, Mickey Gall was the better guy. So it’s just like, ‘Do you walk away from that and just say good job?’ To me, I want to get better,” Punk said during the UFC 225 Countdown.
“My main motivation is just the drive. I’m not chasing money. If anything, you can say I’m chasing glory because I’m chasing that W.
“It’s my second fight and I’ve got a lot to prove. And I’m about to prove it to me and my team.
“You’re about to see a more experienced CM Punk.”
Punk, who will be fighting in front of his friends and family, added: "I feel that I can’t lose with that hometown advantage,” he added.
"I want to get this win for the entire city of Chicago. I’ve grown leaps and bounds and I’ve gained a ton of experience and knowledge.
“And I will bring that to the cage and I will defeat Mike Jackson.”