CM Punk’s debut in the UFC will be delayed as the former WWE champion will be undergoing back surgery in Chicago for a herniated disc according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

“My back has always bugged me,” Punk told MMAFighting.com. “Figured it was just wrestling shit. Turns out it was. It got bad enough to the point where I couldn’t do anything the week before I went to train with the New Jersey Devils last month. One day I could manage, the next day I couldn’t. I’ve been in agony for almost a month. Chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, cryotherapy … nothing worked.”

Punk was told by his doctor that he needs to undergo surgery as soon as possible, news that Punk did not disclose after he found out that he would be fighting Mickey Gall on Saturday. His debut was already delayed after he suffered a shoulder injury last Summer. He is expected to be out for up to six weeks and will then resume light training. Punk said he still hopes to fight this year.