UFC 213
| Industry | Mixed martial arts event promotion |
|---|---|
| Founded | July 8, 2017 |
| Headquarters | Paradise, Nevada , United States |
Area served | Las Vegas metropolitan area |
UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker was a mixed martial arts competition organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on July 8, 2017, hosted at the T-Mobile Arena located in Paradise, Nevada, within the Las Vegas metropolitan region.
Background
Taking place during UFC's annual International Fight Week, the event originally featured a planned UFC Bantamweight Championship matchup between reigning champion Cody Garbrandt and former titleholder T.J. Dillashaw. However, this fight was canceled after Garbrandt withdrew because of a back injury.
Another anticipated main event was the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship contest with champion Amanda Nunes set to face multiple-time muay thai world champion Valentina Shevchenko. Their prior encounter at UFC 196 concluded with Nunes securing a unanimous decision victory. Unfortunately, this bout was called off just hours before UFC 213 due to Nunes becoming ill.
Following the cancellation of Nunes vs. Shevchenko, the interim UFC Middleweight Championship clash between 2000 Olympic silver medalist and former freestyle wrestling world champion Yoel Romero and The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes winner Robert Whittaker was promoted to headline status.
A welterweight fight featuring ex-UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler against former UFC Lightweight Championship contender Donald Cerrone was postponed from UFC 205 after Lawler lost his title at UFC 201. Cerrone suffered from multiple injuries including a staph infection and a strained groin, resulting in the bout being pushed back to UFC 214.
Alan Jouban was slated to compete against Brian Camozzi, but withdrew due to a broken foot injury and was replaced by The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia welterweight champion Chad Laprise.
A bantamweight contest between Douglas Silva de Andrade and Rob Font, initially scheduled for UFC 175 in 2014 but delayed because of injury, was rescheduled for this event.
Bonus awards
The following fighters were granted $50,000 bonuses:
- Fight of the Night: Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero
- Performance of the Night: Rob Font and Chad Laprise
Reported payout
According to disclosures made to the Nevada Athletic Commission, total fighter payouts amounted to $2,596,000. These amounts do not account for sponsor payments or UFC "fight night" bonuses. Notable reported earnings included:
- Robert Whittaker: $350,000 (no victory bonus) defeated Yoel Romero: $350,000
- Alistair Overeem: $800,000 (no win bonus) defeated Fabrício Werdum: $275,000
- Curtis Blaydes: $38,000 (includes $19,000 win bonus) defeated Daniel Omielańczuk: $30,000
- Anthony Pettis: $180,000 (includes $90,000 win bonus) defeated Jim Miller: $71,000
- Rob Font: $39,000 (includes $19,500 win bonus) defeated Douglas Silva de Andrade: $18,000
- Oleksiy Oliynyk: $54,000 (includes $27,000 win bonus) defeated Travis Browne: $120,000
- Chad Laprise: $48,000 (includes $24,000 win bonus) defeated Brian Camozzi: $10,000
- Thiago Santos: $68,000 (includes $34,000 win bonus) defeated Gerald Meerschaert: $14,000
- Belal Muhammad: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus) defeated Jordan Mein: $25,000
- Cody Stamann: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus) defeated Terrion Ware: $10,000
- Trevin Giles: $24,000 (includes $12,000 win bonus) defeated James Bochnovic: $12,000