Former WWE Superstar CM Punk is set to undergo back surgery today in Chicago to fix a herniated disc, according to MMAFighting.com. His planned UFC debut will be delayed once again as a result. Punk told MMAFighting,
“My back has always bugged me. Figured it was just wrestling sh*t. Turns out it was. It got bad enough to the point where I couldn’t do anything the week before I went to train with the New Jersey Devils last month. One day I could manage, the next day I couldn’t.
“I’ve been in agony for almost a month. Chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, cryotherapy … nothing worked.”
This past Saturday night, it was determined that 24-year-old Mickey Gall would be his first opponent after Gall defeated fellow UFC newcomer Mike Jackson via first-round rear-naked choke. Punk reveals that he was informed about needing surgery prior to Gall’s win and their subsequent stare-down.
Despite the setback, Punk remains positive, calling the back surgery “just a bump in the road.” He won’t be able to fight at UFC 199 or 200, but still expects to fight this year.