A middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight Championship title challengers Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori headlined the event.[3] In the days leading up to the event, the bout was shifted to a catchweight of 195 lbs and then ultimately to light heavyweight due to weight cut issues with Costa. As a result, he forfeited 20% of his fight purse to Vettori.[4][5]
Aaron Phillips and Kris Moutinho was scheduled for the bantamweight bout at the event.[6] However in mid-September, Moutinho was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jonathan Martinez.[7] In turn, Philips withdrew from the bout due to illness.[8] On three days notice, promotional newcomer Zviad Lazishvili stepped in as a replacement.[9]
A welterweight bout between Dwight Grant and Gabriel Green was briefly linked to the event.[10] However, Green was removed from the contest in late September due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Francisco Trinaldo.[11]
A lightweight rematch between Alan Patrick and Mason Jones was expected to take place at the event.[13] The pairing previously met at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai, which ended in a no contest when an accidental eye poke rendered Patrick unable to continue.[14] However in late October, Patrick withdrew from bout and he was replaced by newcomer David Onama.[15]
