[3] The pairing met previously under a regional promotion banner in 2010 with Carmouche winning the first bout via second-round TKO (doctor stoppage).

However, the bout was canceled after Latifi pulled out two days before the event due to a back injury and then rescheduled for UFC on ESPN: Covington vs.

[5] In turn, the bout was then shifted to this event a week later after Oezdemir was faced with alleged visa issues which affected his travel schedule.

However, it was announced on July 29 that Staropoli was forced to pull out of the fight due to a broken nose and was replaced by Gilbert Burns.

However, Evans-Smith withdrew the bout for an undisclosed reason and was replaced by promotional newcomer Ariane Carnelossi.