Is CM Punk's return to UFC imminent? He's apparently training like it is

CM Punk is hard at work, preparing for his second fight in the UFC.

At least that’s what it looks like based on an Instagram post by MMA trainer Duke Roufus, who serves as Punk’s head coach at Roufusport in Milwaukee.

Back in #PunkCamp with my man @cmpunk #cmpunk working hard & getting better every day. Working on his next Fight. #ufc #mma #mixedmartialarts #wwe #wrestling #wrasslin #jiujitsu #kickboxing #judo #muaythai #pankration #taekwondo #sambo #kyokushin #karate #boxing #roufusport #wanderleyjiujitsu @danielswbjj #cushboxing @scottcushman #dukeroufusstrikinguniversity #drsu @dukeroufusstrikingu #repcombatcorner rocking my man @weapons_at_hand_mma_kickboxing Custom #combatcorner @combatcrnrdesignlab Shorts! #martialarts is Life!

A post shared by Duke Roufus (@dukeroufus) on Oct 13, 2017 at 2:53pm PDT

Punk (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), a former WWE star, hasn’t competed since a first-round submission loss to Mickey Gall in his MMA debut at UFC 203 last year. It was widely considered a failure for Punk, who wasn’t able to mount any offense before tapping out to a rear-naked choke just 2:14 into the fight.

Roufus’ Instagram post caption is curious, with him specifically stating Punk is back in camp “working on his next fight,” which makes you wonder if a booking could be in the works. Is it possible Punk fights before the end of the year as Roufus hinted at back in August.

For what it’s worth, UFC President Dana White said shortly after Punk’s loss that he would “probably not” continue fighting for the organization, though he’s never taken a definitive stance.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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