[3] The event was headlined by a middleweight bout between former world champions Lyoto Machida and Gegard Mousasi.

[2] Returning veteran Nate Loughran was expected to face Erick Silva at the event.

However, Loughran was forced out of the bout with an injury[4] and was replaced by promotional newcomer Takenori Sato.

However, Tavares was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed injury, and was replaced by UFC newcomer Douglas Silva de Andrade.

They were awarded to fighters who display "the two best individual performances on the card," according to a statement released by the UFC.