The event featured the MMA debut of former professional wrestler Brock Lesnar and the anticipated rematch between Royce Gracie and Kazushi Sakuraba.

FEG[4] had difficulties obtaining a promoter's license, and was only granted a temporary one by the California State Athletic Commission eight days before the event.

[5] Popular South Korean fighter Hong-Man Choi, initially scheduled to fight Brock Lesnar, was denied a license to fight in the state roughly a week and a half before the event for medical reasons (later reported to be a tumor on his pituitary gland).

[8] Antônio Silva was also removed from the card due to an undisclosed medical condition, and was replaced by Tim Persey.

On June 7, 2007, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) announced that 42,757 tickets were distributed for the event – something promoters say validated the claim of having the largest attendance for a Mixed Martial Arts event in North America (a record previously held by UFC 68).