Gall confident ahead of CM Punk fight: 'I'll finish him in 1 round'

Mickey Gall has waited so long for his matchup with CM Punk that it's almost a shame he expects it to end so early.

After an injury delayed Punk's debut, he and Gall are set to battle at UFC 203 on Sept. 10 in Cleveland. Punk comes in with the reputation of a WWE superstar known for putting on some classic wrestling matches.

If Gall has his way, this won't be one of them.

"I think I'll finish him in one round, but I'll be prepared to go three hard rounds. I think I'll be able to get him in one," Gall told Damon Martin of FOX Sports. "That's what I do, I get people in one. I plan to do some violence, some terrible things in the fight. I'm going to make it real ugly for him."

The 24-year-old welterweight prospect's confidence is understandable given how quickly he's finished the only two fights of his professional MMA career. In fact, it was a quick submission win in his first outing that caught the eye of UFC president Dana White.

Three months later, Gall made a successful UFC debut, submitting Mike Jackson in 45 seconds for the right to face Punk.

Even though the 37-year-old Punk has zero MMA experience, he's expected to draw plenty of attention due to his unique background. That notoriety will only help Gall to get in the proper mindset for their fight.

"I'm going to prepare as if they say he's the best in the world. I'm going to prepare like he's the baddest dude around," Gall said. "I don't really think I need to see tape. I'm going to force my game. I'm taking him very seriously.

"A lot of people are treating him like a joke but I'm going to look like a real (expletive) if I go out there thinking he's a joke and get myself beat. I won't let that happen."