UFC 225 is, without a doubt, a stacked card. It features two title fights, six former world champions and another five title previous contenders. It also features former professional wrestler CM Punk, who with a record of 0-1 kicks off the main card on pay-per-view.
The UFC’s decision to put Punk in that spot means names like Holly Holm, Ricardo Lamas, Rashad Evans, Claudia Gadelha and more will be on the preliminary card, playing on free television. While that might indicate just how talent filled the June 9 event in Chicago is, it’s also irked a few mixed martial arts fans who believe the aforementioned names belong above Punk in the listings.
Apparently, he agrees. Kind of.
After UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman took to his social media to say he understood the UFC’s decision to put Punk on PPV, Punk himself responded with agreement, writing “I understand too. If it was up to me, I’d be first fight on fight pass. Don’t matter to me. Fans like to be outraged by stuff that doesn’t matter. (Appreciate the support Mr. Coleman!!!!! You’re truly the man).”
I understand too. If it was up to me, I'd be first fight on fight pass. Don't matter to me. Fans like to be outraged by stuff that doesn't matter. (Appreciate the support Mr. Coleman!!!!! You're truly the man)
— Coach (@CMPunk) May 14, 2018
It’s likely the last opportunity Punk will have in the UFC, with another loss almost certainly meaning he’d be released from the promotion. He faces Mike Jackson, who also enters the Octagon with a record 0-1, with both men owning a loss to Mickey Gall.
Currently, the UFC 225 card hosts the following bouts:
- Champ Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero (middleweight title bout)
- Colby Covington vs. Rafael dos Anjos (interim welterweight title bout)
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Alistair Overeem
- Andrei Arlovski vs. Tai Tuivasa
- CM Punk vs. Mike Jackson
- Megan Anderson vs. Holly Holm
- Mirsad Bektic vs. Ricardo Lamas
- Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha
- Bobby Green vs. Clay Guida
- Rashad Evans vs. Anthony Smith
- Joseph Benavidez vs. Sergio Pettis
- Dan Ige vs. Mike Santiago
- Rashad Coulter vs. Chris De La Rocha
