The event took place during the UFC's annual International Fight Week.[2][3]
A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Cody Garbrandt and former champion T.J. Dillashaw was expected to take place at this event, possibly as the headliner.[4] However, on May 23, Garbrandt withdrew due to a back injury and the bout was scrapped.[5]
A UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Amanda Nunes and multiple-time muay thai world champion Valentina Shevchenko was scheduled to headline this event.[6] The pairing met previously in March 2016 at UFC 196, with Nunes winning by unanimous decision.[7] However, the bout was canceled just hours before the event started due to Nunes being ill.[8]
A welterweight bout between former UFC Welterweight ChampionRobbie Lawler and former UFC Lightweight Championship challenger Donald Cerrone was originally booked for UFC 205. However, Lawler pulled out to take a little more time after losing his title via knockout at UFC 201.[10] The fight was rescheduled to take place at this event.[11] Reports began to circulate on June 28 that Cerrone had sustained a minor injury and that the pairing would be left intact, but expected to shift to UFC 214 three weeks later.[12] UFC President Dana White confirmed later that Cerrone in fact had a staph infection and a pulled groin, and while the plan was to keep the bout, it wouldn't happen at UFC 214.[13] In the end, the bout was confirmed on July 2 for UFC 214.[14]
A bantamweight bout between Douglas Silva de Andrade and Rob Font was originally booked for UFC 175 in July 2014. However, de Andrade was pulled from the bout due to injury and replaced by George Roop. The bout was then rescheduled for this event.[17]
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[19]
Fight of the Night: Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
Performance of the Night:Rob Font and Chad Laprise
Reported payout
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money and also does not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses. The total disclosed payout for the event was $2,596,000.[20]
Robert Whittaker: $350,000 (no win bonus) def. Yoel Romero: $350,000
Alistair Overeem: $800,000 (no win bonus) def. Fabrício Werdum: $275,000