There has been a ton of controversy surrounding the mixed martial arts (MMA) career of former WWE Champion CM Punk.

Punk is gearing up for the second fight in his MMA career. He will take on MMA journalist Mike Jackson on the main card of the UFC 225 pay-per-view (PPV) next month.

The card is being held in Chicago, Illinois which is Punk's hometown. There's some slight history between these two in this fight.

History

Initially, Jackson challenged for the opportunity to welcome Punk into the UFC, when he took on Mickey Gall at UFC Fight Night 82 back in 2016. 

Jackson lost that fight in under a minute via round one submission. Gall would go on to cash-in on the CM Punk sweepstakes and make a name for himself.

Punk decided to walk away from the world of professional wrestling back in January of 2014. He later announced that he intended to begin a career as a mixed martial artist. Punk signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC and made his debut at UFC 203 in 2016.

Gall made quick work of Punk by submitting him in the first round. Interestingly enough, however, Punk lasted much longer against Gall than Jackson did.

Controversy

Now Jackson and Punk will square off in a battle between two fighters with 0-1 records. There has been a ton of controversy recently surrounding the fight, as it was announced that it will be taking place on the main card on PPV.

As a result, a heavyweight fight between MMA pioneer Alistair Overeem and Curtis Blaydes was bumped off the main card. 

UFC President Dana White was recently asked about this in his post-event interview at UFC Liverpool. Here's what he had to say on the matter (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“Listen, when Alistair Overeem sells as many pay-per-views as CM Punk does, we can argue,” White said.

In regards to people saying Overeem was 'demoted' to the prelims, here's what the UFC President has to say about that notion:

“He was ‘demoted’?,” White said. “If that’s the way you want to look at him, being ‘demoted’, what is Rashad Evans?

"What is Pettis? There’s guys that could be on the main card that are on the Fight Pass prelims.”

White also addressed Punk's UFC future if he were to lose. A reporter asked if this would be the end of the CM Punk experiment if the former WWE Champ were to lose. White agreed that it would be:

“I’m sure it is, yeah,” he said.

What are your thoughts on Punk being on the main PPV card, and Overeem's fight getting "demoted?" Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below!