The series was officially announced by the UFC in March 2013 with the revelation that for the first time women will serve as coaches and the contestants will be both male and female.
[1][2] Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey was selected to coach against the winner of the Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano bout on The Ultimate Fighter 17 finale in April 2013.
[1] Zingano won the fight, but a few weeks prior to filming was removed from the coaching position due to an injury and replaced by Tate.
[10] The event was expected to be headlined by a UFC Flyweight Championship bout between the current champion Demetrious Johnson and top contender Joseph Benavidez.
[11] The two previously met at UFC 152 in the finals of the inaugural Flyweight Tournament, with Johnson winning the bout via split decision.
[13] Josh Sampo missed the 126 lb weight limit at the weigh ins and forfeited 10% of his purse as a penalty.