Potential CM Punk Opponent Mickey Gall to Compete at UFC 196

Former professional wrestling star CM Punk has a date and a potential opponent for his UFC debut.

During an appearance on ”Off the Record” with Michael Landsberg, UFC President Dana White revealed that Mickey Gall will face Punk at UFC 200 if Gall defeats Michael Jackson in a preliminary contest at UFC 196.

"I'm bringing Mickey Gall in, and he's going to fight a kid named Michael Jackson," White said. "They're going to fight on the prelims, on Feb. 6 on Fight Pass, and if he wins that fight, Mickey Gall will fight CM Punk. And CM Punk will be there at the fight to watch."

White later confirmed via Twitter that Jackson will not get an opportunity to face Punk if he should defeat Gall at UFC 196.

Gall appeared on White’s radar when the UFC boss was in attendance for the fighter’s mixed martial arts debut in Philadelphia on Nov. 21. After Gall submitted Ron Templeton with a rear-naked choke in the first round at Dead Serious MMA “Dead Serious 17,” he called out Punk, and White, who was there for taping of ”Looking for a Fight,” appeared open to the idea.

“He’s holding a lottery ticket with really good odds of winning the lottery right now,” White said of Gall. “He’s got to get through this fight, and it’s going to be a life changer for this kid.”

UFC 196 takes place on Feb. 6 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight title rematch between Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez.