UFC 197
| Company type | Mixed martial arts event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports entertainment |
| Founded | April 23, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas , United States |
Area served | Global (UFC audience) |
UFC 197: Jones vs. Saint Preux was a mixed martial arts competition that took place on April 23, 2016, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Background
Initially planned for March 5, 2016, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UFC 197 was cancelled due to financial complications and later rescheduled as UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson on February 6, 2016, in Las Vegas after Vitor Belfort declined a matchup against Anderson Silva. The originally planned March event was subsequently renumbered as UFC 196.
The UFC intended to host UFC 197 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marking the sport's return to the state following a ban. However, a federal judge refused to grant a preliminary injunction permitting the event amid ongoing legal disputes over the ban. Consequently, the UFC confirmed that the event would proceed in Las Vegas.
The headline bout was arranged as a rematch for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship featuring reigning champion Daniel Cormier and former titleholder Jon Jones. Their previous encounter at UFC 182 concluded with Jones defending his belt before being stripped due to legal troubles stemming from a hit-and-run incident. Cormier secured the vacant championship at UFC 187.
In March 2016, Jones encountered probation violations and traffic-related offenses but reached a plea agreement. Despite UFC dissatisfaction, the fight remained scheduled until Cormier withdrew on April 1 due to a foot injury. He was substituted by Ovince Saint Preux for an interim title contest. Although Anthony Johnson was initially considered as a replacement, he declined because of recent dental surgery.
The co-main event showcased a UFC Flyweight Championship fight between defending champion Demetrious Johnson and 2008 Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medalist Henry Cejudo.
Earlier in 2016, former champion B.J. Penn announced his return to featherweight competition after an 18-month break and was anticipated to appear at UFC 197. His comeback was postponed amid criminal allegations but later cleared; he was rescheduled to compete at UFC 199.
Former WSOF Women's Strawweight Champion Jessica Aguilar pulled out of her scheduled bout against Juliana Lima due to a knee injury and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza.
Bonus awards
The $50,000 bonuses were awarded as follows:
- Fight of the Night: Danny Roberts vs. Dominique Steele
- Performance of the Night: Demetrious Johnson and Yair Rodríguez
Reported payout
The disclosed fighter payouts reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission—excluding sponsorship earnings and UFC fight night bonuses—were:
- Jon Jones: $500,000 (no win bonus) defeated Ovince Saint Preux: $55,000
- Demetrious Johnson: $195,000 (including $60,000 win bonus) defeated Henry Cejudo: $60,000
- Edson Barboza: $88,000 (including $44,000 win bonus) defeated Anthony Pettis: $80,000
- Robert Whittaker: $60,000 (including $30,000 win bonus) defeated Rafael Natal: $41,000
- Yair Rodríguez: $42,000 (including $21,000 win bonus) defeated Andre Fili: $18,000
- Sergio Pettis: $48,000 (including $24,000 win bonus) defeated Chris Kelades: $12,000
- Danny Roberts: $24,000 (including $12,000 win bonus) defeated Dominique Steele: $12,000
- Carla Esparza: $60,000 (including $30,000 win bonus) defeated Juliana Lima: $14,000
- James Vick: $30,000 (including $15,000 win bonus) defeated Glaico França: $17,000
- Walt Harris: $20,000 (including $10,000 win bonus) defeated Cody East: $10,000
- Marcos Rogério de Lima: $24,000 (including $12,000 win bonus) defeated Clint Hester: $12,000
- Kevin Lee: $48,000 (including $24,000 win bonus) defeated Efrain Escudero: $18,000