A heavyweight bout between former heavyweight champion Fabrício Werdum and Ben Rothwell was originally booked for UFC 203. However, Rothwell pulled out due to a knee injury.[8] The fight was expected to take place at this event.[9] The pairing was scrapped after Rothwell was flagged by USADA for a potential anti-doping violation.[10]
Jarjis Danho was expected to face promotional newcomer Dmitry Poberezhets at the event. However, Danho pulled out of the fight in mid-April citing an injury.[13] He was replaced by Chase Sherman.[14] In turn, Poberezhets was removed from the card for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by fellow newcomer Rashad Coulter.[15]
A featherweight bout between promotional newcomers, Jared Gordon and Michel Quiñones was expected for the event. However, Gordon pulled out of the fight on the day before the event due to stomach illness and as a result, Quiñones was removed from the card.[17]
^Alvarez landed illegal knees to Poirier's head, who was a downed opponent.
^The result was overturned after Casey tested positive for elevated testosterone levels, but the change was lifted as Casey's "B" sample was confirmed negative.
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[19]
Fight of the Night: Chase Sherman vs. Rashad Coulter
Performance of the Night:Stipe Miocic and Jason Knight
Aftermath
On May 26, it was announced that Casey tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in an in-competition drug screen on May 13. Per the drug-test results, her testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio was 5.4:1, above the 4:1 limit. Casey was suspended for three months and her win over Aguilar was overturned to a no-contest by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) due to the failure.[20] Nearly a month later, Jeff Novitzky, the UFC's VP of athlete health and performance revealed that Casey's "B" sample came back negative for banned substances and synthetic testosterone, therefore clearing her of wrongdoing both by a WADA-accredited lab and a testing laboratory hired by the TDLR. Yet Casey's case remains "still under review" by the TDLR. Novitzky urged the TDLR to reverse its decision and cautioned the promotion could steer away future UFC events from Texas if the issue isn't resolved.[21]
On June 30, the TDLR lifted Casey's three-month suspension and gave back her victory, which was overturned to a no contest.[22]