Gall ends CM Punk's UFC debut with 1st-round submission

Nobody told CM Punk this MMA thing would be easy.

The former WWE superstar completed his journey from professional wrestler to UFC fighter at UFC 203 in Cleveland on Saturday, and the welterweight bout went as many people expected. Opponent Mickey Gall went right for the jugular and after pounding Punk on the ground for almost the entirety of Round 1, he put the would-be crossover star away with a rear-naked choke submission.

Punk was attempting to become the first athlete ever to win inside the Octagon with zero competitive combat sports experience. Making things even more daunting was the fact that his MMA debut would be taking place live on a UFC PPV.

After coming out to the familiar strains of Living Colour's "Cult of Personality," his entrance theme from his WWE days, Punk soon found himself staring at a hungry 24-year-old looking to make a name off of Punk's fame.

And that's exactly what Gall did, driving in immediately for a successful takedown. Gall put his jiu-jitsu skills to good use, rendering Punk helpless as he pummeled him with punches. Punk gave up his back, but wasn't submitted right away. Instead, he was forced to endure more punishment until Gall was able to lock in the fight-ending choke at the 2:14 mark of Round 1.

Afterwards, Punk was not discouraged and he vowed that this is not the last time fans will see him in MMA competition.

Punk was signed by the UFC in December 2014. After numerous delays resulting from the time needed to properly train him, difficulties finding a suitable opponent, and surgery for a herniated disc in his back, he is now officially in the promotion's record books.

On the other side, Gall moved to 2-0 in the UFC and he remains undefeated in his brief professional career. He called for a fight with Sage Northcutt following his big win.