CM Punk got a huge ovation from his hometown crowd at Chicago’s United Center as he walked out for his UFC 225 bout with Mike Jackson.
And that will likely turn out to be the mixed martial arts career highlight for Punk, the aging pro wrestler legally known as Phil Brooks.
Punk showed heart in going the distance on Saturday night, but otherwise looked out of his league in the welterweight fight. Jackson toyed with Punk for the better part of the fight and cruised to a unanimous decision victory. The judges’ scores were 30-26 across the board.
The opening round was primarily an amateur-hour clinchfest. In the second, Punk tired and Jackson turned up the heat, piecing Punk in the standup. When they hit the mat, Jackson worked from top control and appeared at almost mock Punk, as he would turn his head away from Punk, and then land punches to his head and torso.
Punk managed to show toughness in going the distance, but it’s in part down to Jackson, who didn’t show much urgency on finishing the fight, even as he controlled the final five minutes.
“That’s my thing I’m a laid back kind of dude,” Jackson said. “Unfortunately, Illinios doesn’t allow marijuana, so I’m not as cool and calm as I wanted to be.”
Both fighers had lost first-round submissions to Mickey Gall in their pro debuts. Punk dropped to 0-2 and Jackson, who indicated he’d like to continue his career, whether in the UFC or Zuffa Boxing, imrpoved to 1-1.