Injury delays CM Punk’s UFC debut

MANILA, Philippines – The much-awaited mixed martial arts (MMA) debut of former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) performer CM Punk has been delayed due to a shoulder injury.

According to CM Punk’s trainer Duke Roufus, he has been sidelined for several weeks after injuring his shoulder during a scramble in training.

The 45-year-old former kickboxer also noted that CM Punk is scheduled to see a physician on October 14 if he can get a clearance to return to the gym.

“He got caught in a scramble, so right now he’s taking a little time off. He was doing great before that. His progress has been good. He’s got a great attitude and he’s a hard worker. He got a place in Milwaukee where he lives all week when he’s here training, so he’s in it to win it,“ Roufus said in an interview with ESPN.

CM Punk, whose real name is Phil Brooks, inked a multi-fight contract with the UFC last December after his surprising exodus from WWE in January 2014.

The 36-year-old native of Chicago, Illinois acquired the services of Roufus to prepare him for his first professional MMA bout and began his intense training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as early as January of this year.

(WATCH: CM Punk unveils transformed physique in UFC training)

Roufusport is a home to a number of top MMA fighters, including former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and current ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren.

Roufus, one of the most recognizable striking coaches in North America and considered to be one of the best instructors of Muay Thai outside of Thailand, wants CM Punk completely prepared before stepping into the Octagon

“Our biggest thing is we want him to 101 percent before [we resuming training]. We don’t have a hard date for his fight to force the issue, so making sure he’s completely healthy is possible,” he stated.

When Roufus was asked how close Punk is to that point, he blatantly responded, “50 percent.”

Roufus eyes July 9, 2016 as the possible date of CM Punk’s UFC debut since the organization is planning to stage the UFC 200 pay-per-view event at the currently-under-construction Las Vegas Arena on the aforementioned date.

“The UFC will probably book him a fight three to four months in advance [against] a guy of his magnitude. We’re probably looking at a fight in the next six to 10 months. The injury throws us back one month. We had a ballpark. We were looking at mid to late spring. Now, we’ll just have to see how he comes back from the injury,” he shared. – Rappler.com