CM Punk Informs UFC Of Retirement From Professional Mixed Martial Arts

Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges - Zuffa LLC

Two-fight professional, Phil Brooks, otherwise known as 'CM Punk' has informed the UFC of his immediate retirement from mixed martial arts, following his recent return to professional wrestling under the AEW (All Elite Wrestling) banner. 

The 42-year-old competed twice under the UFC's scrutiny, having penned a multi-fight deal with the organization back in 2014 -- scoring a 0-1(1) professional record from two Octagon outings.

Debuting on the main card of UFC 203 in September 2016, Punk met with grappler, Mickey Gall beneath an undisputed heavyweight title fight between former two-time titleholder, Stipe Miocic, and upcoming GLORY Kickboxing heavyweight title challenger, Alistair Overeem.

Taken down early in the opening round, Punk was submitted within two minutes of the first frame via rear-naked choke in his professional debut.

The Chicago, Illinois native -- who predominantly trained beneath renowned coach, Duke Roufus at Roufusport in Appleton, Wisconsin, made his second and final professional walk at UFC 225 in June 2018 on the main card of another high-profile pay-per-view event, beneath an interim welterweight title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington, as well as a middleweight title rematch between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero.

Punk met with Mike Jackson, who also holds an opening round loss to Gall, originally suffering a largely one-sided unanimous decision loss, before Jackson's judging win overturned to an official 'No Contest' after the bout after he tested positive for the then-banned substance, marijuana. Following the bout, UFC president, Dana White remained coy on the fighting future of Punk, encouraging him to consider retirement, as well as voicing his disappointment with Jackson's performance.

In the time since, Punk has featured as a commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships -- debuting in December 2018, and according to a report tonight from MMA Fighting reporter, Damon Martin, the former WWE champion informed the UFC of his intentions to retire from mixed martial arts.

Snapping a seven-year hiatus from professional wrestling this month, Punk appeared at an AEW: The First Dance event at the United Centre on home soil in Chicago -- and is expected to make his debut for the organization on September 5. as part of an AEW: All Out event.