Cope was the first mixed martial arts event held by the World Extreme Cagefighting under Zuffa management.

The co-main event was a WEC Featherweight Title bout between champion, Urijah Faber and challenger Joe Pearson.

A WEC Light Heavyweight Title bout was originally advertised between champion Doug Marshall and Jorge Oliveira, but the bout was later pulled from the card.

Marshall would instead make his first title defense against Justin McElfresh at WEC 27 in May 2007.

It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the WEC.