By Damon Martin

It's been more than a year since former WWE superstar CM Punk made his dubious debut at UFC 203 in Cleveland. In his first outing under the bright lights of the sport's biggest stage, Mickey Gall choked out the former WWE superstar to earn the submission victory.

Punk had trained for more than a year to get ready for his UFC debut, but it still didn't help him defeat a young, hungry welterweight like Gall in his first fight inside the Octagon.

Since that time, Punk has largely shied away from the spotlight and giving interviews, but he's been keeping plenty busy at the gym.

Punk's head coach, Duke Roufus, has routinely posted photos of the former professional wrestler putting in work while teasing Punk would be making his return to action one day soon. Yet, there's still been no word on whether or not the Chicago native will ever fight again.

According to Punk's wife, AJ Mendez-Brooks, Punk plans to fight again but has been focusing on getting better before that next bout is booked.

"Yes, he wants to fight again," Mendez-Brooks told the Jim Norton and Sam Roberts show. "I'm never going to be the person that stops someone from doing whatever their dream is so I support it.

"I just look at his face and say stay that way."

As far as handling her husband's previous fight in the UFC, she admits it was tough to sit cage side to watch Punk lose to Gall in such lopsided fashion. Nevertheless, she was absolutely proud of him regardless of the result.

Mendez-Brooks confirmed her husband made a seven-figure payday for his effort in the Octagon that night, but she took more pride in seeing the man she loves fulfill his dream of fighting in the UFC.

"I don't think it hurt that for one night of working you get paid a million dollars. He was pretty psyched about that," Mendez-Brooks said with a laugh. "He came backstage with the most giant smile on his face. He's incredibly sweaty and I just threw myself on him and I'm like 'I'm so freaking proud of you.'

"His speech was just so moving, and I try not to get emotional in front of people. So we just went to our little corner and it was so f*cking cool and I'm so proud of him."