Report: CM Punk likely drew over $4 million for PPV at UFC 203

The recent pay-per-view estimates for UFC 203 could play a crucial role in CM Punk's future with the promotion.

According to a report by MMAFighting's Dave Meltzer, the event drew somewhere between 425,000 and 475,000 pay-per-view buys.

Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic headlined the card in his successful title defense against Alistair Overeem. Assuming Miocic is responsible for 250,000-300,000 buys - which he drew in his previous main event at UFC 198 - Punk may have single-handedly drawn another 125,000-225,000 purchases.

The figures translate to a dollar range between $3.75 million and $6.75 million.

If the numbers are accurate, Punk's earning power could tempt the UFC to keep him around despite president Dana White's reluctance. The former pro wrestler did himself no favors in his MMA debut, tapping to a Mickey Gall rear-naked choke in the first round, but his $500,000 fight purse – not including his take of the pay-per-view – is small potatoes compared to the scratch he generated for the company.

UFC 203's pay-per-view figures are the fourth highest this year, trailing UFC 196 and 202 - both headlined by Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz - along with the controversial UFC 200.