“To me, he’s still a champ,” CM Punk defends UFC star Alexander Volkanovski despite DEVASTATING knockout loss

CM Punk has often been spotted around UFC events and also on a couple of ocassions, he has dared to step into the octagon to exchange heavy blows.

“To me, he’s still a champ,” CM Punk defends UFC star Alexander Volkanovski despite DEVASTATING knockout loss

Alexander Volkanovski and CM Punk (via ESPN/WWE)

At UFC 298, the world saw the fall of Alexander Volkanovski. He was in a fight with Ilia Topuria for the featherweight championship. The two stars delivered an iconic contest where Topuria got the best of ‘The Great.’ It marked the second consecutive loss for Volkanovski in his MMA career. WWE Superstar, CM Punk attended the UFC 298 event and later defended Volkanovski despite this huge knockout loss.

In the interview with TNT Sports, CM Punk stated that he respects the zeal of the former UFC featherweight champion. The Best in the World added that Volkanovski stood up for a risky challenge after suffering a defeat against Islam Makachev.

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In the words of the Second City Saint, going up against a challenge is what makes a person a champion. Therefore, Punk heaped high praise on the 35-year-old.

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It's a real heartbreak to these guys, and my heart goes out to Volkanovski right now because I know he's heartbroken, and I know the chatter is going to be. Should he have fought four months after he got knocked out? But that's the fight game. My hats off to him for being such an active fighting champion. For taking the risks at 155 against the pound for pound best fighter in the world Islam Makachev twice. You know, like, those are the things like...That kinda stuff gets offered to you and Champion takes those risks. So you know so, Volk, you know, to me he's still a champ.
CM Punk on Alexander Volkanovski

This loss at UFC 298 can be a huge turning point for Alexander Volkanovski’s career. He has been defeated for the second time in his career. This huge defeat has been generating a lot of buzz on the internet. Besides, the appearance of CM Punk also raised many eyebrows. He was seen having an interaction with Oban Elliott backstage.

As one of the Best in the World, he is injured. He announced his injury on the Raw after the Royal Rumble. Punk tore his triceps during the Rumble match, which led to him calling off his dreams of main-eventing WrestleMania 40. It is going to be interesting to see when and where he will return to action once again. As for Alexander Volkanovski, his MMA career looks vague at the moment after this huge loss at UFC 298.

CM Punk confirms that he was set to headline WrestleMania XL

The world witnessed the shocking return of CM Punk in the Survivor Series. It was the moment when his fans were on a joyride until it all came crashing down with his tricep injury. Many thought before his injury that this year, the Best in the World was going to the main event of WrestleMania. Punk confirmed this in his interview with TNT Sports.

CM Punk
CM Punk (via WWE/Metro)

In the interview, Punk stated that this year he was about to headline the Show of Shows. He added that, due to his recent injury, he is unable to do so. However, the Second City Saint looked positive, as he mentioned that it is just a boulder in the way, and he will be better than ever before after his return.

You know, fingers crossed, yeah, I was gonna headline WrestleMania. Obviously, now I'm not. But, you know, it's sports. It's what happens to athletes, you know. Like, mentally, I think it's harder. The physical pain is whatever, but I look at it just like a bump in the road, you know. This is an occupational hazard, it happens, and I'll be back bigger and better,
CM Punk on TNT Sports

However, the Voice of the Voiceless revealed that this injury has a heavier toll on him mentally than physically. Besides, the 45-year-old looked optimistic about his return and had his eyes set on the prize after he came back. Furthermore, his fans also think the same, as now the fingers are crossed for WrestleMania 41 to be main-evented by the Best in the World, CM Punk.

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