[2] The event was the first in the promotion's five-year contract with ESPN and the first to be broadcast on the network's fledgling streaming service ESPN+, which was launched less than a month after the initial announcement in April 2018.

[10][11][12] The charges and suspension were later dropped after the victim failed to appear in court to testify, but Hardy's arrest and trial were the focus of considerable controversy.

[18][19] Later it was announced that despite still being an alternate, Benavidez would face Dustin Ortiz in a rematch of his unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson in November 2014.

[23] Ion Cuțelaba was expected to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Glover Teixeira at this event.

[28] [29] The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[30] On March 20, it was announced that Dillashaw was suspended one-year due to a failed drug test in relation to this event and therefore he decided to vacate his title.

[31] He initially received a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) retroactive to the event's date.