A UFC Middleweight Championship bout between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort was expected to serve as the event headliner. The much delayed pairing was previously scheduled to take place at UFC 173 and also at UFC 181. However, on January 30, the UFC announced that Weidman had pulled out of the bout, citing an injury he sustained in training.[4] Subsequently, a UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship bout between current champion Ronda Rousey and top contender Cat Zingano was promoted to the main event.[5] Belfort was offered an interim title fight first against Lyoto Machida and then Gegard Mousasi as a replacement for Weidman, but he declined and stated that he would only fight for the full title.[6][7][8]
A bout between touted newcomer Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington, originally booked for UFC 181 and ultimately scrapped due to Holm being injured, served as the co-headliner.[11][12]
Mark Muñoz was very briefly scheduled to a bout with Caio Magalhães at the event.[13] However, shortly after the bout was announced by the UFC, Magalhães indicated that he would not be able to compete at the event due to a lingering infection after recent dental surgery, which would require additional surgery.[14] Muñoz stayed on the card and faced returning UFC veteran Roan Carneiro.[12][15]
Ronaldo Souza was expected to face Yoel Romero at this event. However, on January 15, Souza was forced to withdraw from the bout with pneumonia. The pairing was left intact and the fight rescheduled for UFC on Fox 15.[17][18]
Yancy Medeiros was slated to face Tony Ferguson at this event, but an injured foot forced him out of the bout. On the same day, Gleison Tibau was announced as his replacement.[19]
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:[21]
Fight of the Night: None awarded
Performance of the Night: Ronda Rousey, Jake Ellenberger, Tony Ferguson and Tim Means
Reported payout
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC and also do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.[22]