UFC 72 continued the UFC's expansion into Europe, as it was the third event to take place in Europe and the United Kingdom after UFC 38 in 2002 (Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom) and UFC 70 in April 2007 (MEN Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom). The card aired on pay-per-view in North America and via Setanta Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[4]
Jake O'Brien was scheduled to fight Tom Murphy, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.[6] There was no replacement for O'Brien, and Murphy did not fight on the UFC 72 card.[7]