[2][3] The event was the second that the promotion had contested in the American capital, following UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson in October 2011.

[3] The event was also dubbed 'Fight Like Hell Night' and held in honor of the late ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, who died from cancer in 2015.

[6][7] However on November 1, Harris withdrew from the event due to the ongoing search for his missing stepdaughter, whose remains were found a month after her disappearance.

However on October 22, it was announced that Gadelha was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a broken finger and a torn ligament.

[21] At the weigh-ins, Cynthia Calvillo and Matt Sayles missed the required weight for their respective fights.