CM Punk cut a promo after returning to a major promotion after almost a decade.
After CM Punk’s controversial WWE departure in 2014, it took a while before he returned to professional wrestling. However, he remained active by venturing into another sport, mixed martial arts. In December of the same year, he left the Stamford-based promotion, he announced that he had signed with UFC.
Fighting under the same name, CM Punk had his first professional fight in 2016 at UFC 203, which he lost immediately against Mickey Gall after getting caught in a Rear-Naked Choke. The Best in the World’s second fight took place in 2018 against Mike Jackson. This time around, Punk went the distance but still lost via unanimous decision. However, this later turned into a no-contest decision after his opponent tested positive for banned substances.
Seven years after his last fight, CM Punk recently returned to Ultimate Fighting Championship television at UFC 319, which took place in his hometown in Chicago. The WWE star cut a promo hyping up Chicago and the fighters in the main event for the Middleweight Championship, the reigning champion Dricus Du Pleissis and the challenger Khamzat Chimaev.
CM PUNK HYPE VIDEO PACKAGE FOR #UFC319 GOES SO HARD 🔥
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) August 17, 2025
Initial reports stated that The Best in the World would be in attendance for the recently concluded Chicago pay-per-view, but he wasn’t shown among the audience during the actual event, except for the video package. If he was present at the show, he may have been backstage,
UFC 319 wasn’t the first time the WWE star appeared on UFC television since his final fight seven years ago. In January this year, at UFC 311, he was among the audience and was even shown on camera, doing his signature “Go to Sleep” gesture.
CM Punk Set For A Major Title Match At The End Of The Month
On August 31, WWE will return to Europe for Clash in Paris to be held at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, France. Three matches are already confirmed for the card. CM Punk will be competing in one of the matches, as he will go against Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, and LA Knight for the World Heavyweight Championship.
John Cena vs. Logan Paul and Naomi vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship are also the other two matches already confirmed for the upcoming premium live event.