UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans | ||||
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A poster or logo for UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans.
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Information | ||||
Promotion | Ultimate Fighting Championship | |||
Date | April 16, 2016 | |||
Venue | Amalie Arena | |||
City | Tampa, Florida | |||
Attendance | 11,273 | |||
Total gate | $1,057,000 | |||
Event chronology | ||||
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UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans (also known as UFC on Fox 19) was a mixed martial arts event held on April 16, 2016 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The event was the second that the organization has hosted in the Tampa Bay Area, and first since UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens in February 2009.
It was expected to be headlined by a potential UFC Lightweight Championship title eliminator bout between undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov and The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos winner Tony Ferguson. The fight was previously scheduled for The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale, but Nurmagomedov pulled out due to a rib injury. The fight was eventually rescheduled for this event. On April 5, it was announced that Ferguson pulled out of the bout due to a lung issue. Therefore, the Teixeira-Evans bout was elevated to a five-round main event status. Two days later, it was announced that Nurmagomedov would face promotional newcomer Darrell Horcher in a catchweight of 160 lbs.
Maurício Rua was expected to face Rashad Evans in a bout between two former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions. The pairing was originally expected to meet in Rua's first title defense in March 2011 at UFC 128, but Evans pulled out due to a knee injury. Once again the bout did not materialize, as Rua pulled out of the fight on March 9 due to injury and was replaced by former title challenger Glover Teixeira.