UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett

Background

After holding four previous events in Germany (Cologne, Oberhausen and Berlin twice), the event was the first that the organization has hosted in Hamburg.

A heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champions, Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett served as event headliner.

Promotional newcomer Emil Weber Meek was expected to face fellow newcomer Jessin Ayari at the event. However, Meek was removed from the fight on July 20 due to "compliance" issues, related to the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy. One week later, he was replaced by another newcomer: Jim Wallhead.

Reza Madadi was expected to face Rustam Khabilov at the event. However on July 25, Madadi pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Leandro Silva.

A long rumored fight between Henry Briones and Brad Pickett was expected to take place on the card. However, Briones was replaced in early August for undisclosed reasons by Iuri Alcântara. Subsequently, that pairing was rescheduled to take place a month later at UFC 204.

Aisling Daly was expected to face former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Michelle Waterson at the event. However, Daly was pulled from the fight on August 9 due to injury. Promotion officials reportedly searched to replace Daly in an attempt to keep Waterson on the card. In turn, Waterson was removed from the card after injuring her finger.

Germaine de Randamie was scheduled to face Ashlee Evans-Smith on the card. However, de Randamie pulled out of the fight in mid-August citing a foot injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Veronica Macedo.

A featherweight bout between promotional newcomers Martin Buschkamp and Alex Enlund was scrapped from the card during the week leading up to the event due to Enlund being injured.

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses: