7 Ways UFC Could Book CM Punk's Return
1. Put Him On FOX
If the UFC wants to get the best ROI they can from Punk, then why not put him on FOX?
Even if fewer people want to pay for Punk after his loss, they'll watch him for free. That's a given. UFC ratings on Fox have been all over the map in the past year. Shows headlined by Holly Holm and Paige VanZant/Michelle Waterson have done great numbers, as has any preliminary card for a Rousey or McGregor fight. Besides that? Very hit and miss.
A CM Punk fight, against either Jackson or another viable opponent, would do excellent in the ratings department if FOX marketed it right. It's the same situation as Bobby Lashley in Bellator MMA. Lashley has honestly yet to fight a top level fighter there (his biggest win to date in Bellator was avenging a previous loss to James Thompson), but every time he fights, Spike sees a (no pun intended) spike in the ratings.
Punk would be the perfect fit for Fox - he's used to being on live TV week in and week out, he could do some promos in the build up to the fight, and it could be positioned as his debut on the network.
Seems rather silly not to consider this option. Because on free TV, fans will be a lot more forgiving about Punk taking up a spot on a UFC card.