White: CM Punk earned main card bout because he sells better than Overeem

It's all about the money for Dana White.

The UFC president defended a recent decision to knock the heavyweight bout between former title challenger Alistair Overeem and prospect Curtis Blaydes off the UFC 225 pay-per-view card with simple logic on Sunday.

"Listen, when Alistair Overeem sells as many pay-per-views as CM Punk does, we can argue," White said at the UFC Liverpool post-event press conference, according to MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee.

Overeem and Blaydes didn't exactly get bumped for Punk, who faces fellow 0-1 fighter Mike Jackson on the main card, as both fights were originally booked to be on pay-per-view. A women's featherweight tilt between Holly Holm and Megan Anderson will replace the heavyweights, who will square off in the featured prelim bout.

While Blaydes isn't necessarily a pay-per-view staple, the 38-year-old Overeem has been a part of the main card for all 13 career UFC fights.

Both heavyweights agreed they don't have a problem with fighting earlier on the card, but when White was asked about some fans and media calling the move a "demotion," he strongly disagreed with the notion, pointing to the loaded Chicago card.

"He was 'demoted?'" White said. "If that’s the way you want to look at him, being 'demoted,' what is Rashad Evans? What is (Sergio) Pettis? There's guys that could be on the main card that are on the Fight Pass prelims."

Punk had said he believes he shouldn't be on the main card and instead, open the Fight Pass prelims. The former WWE superstar will be on the main card of a pay-per-view event in his hometown of Chicago for a second time in two pro fights. Though, if he loses again, White says he's "sure" Punk's UFC career will be finished.