On October 19, it was announced that the UFC sent a memo to fighters and their staff regarding policy changes to U.S. international travel requirements. Starting on November 8, foreign individuals looking to travel to the United States will need to be fully vaccinated with, and provide proof of, one of seven World Health Organization approved vaccines. They will also need a negative COVID-19 test from a 72-hour period prior to travel. The policy also applies to those crossing from Canada or Mexico, or those coming by ship. This was the first event under such requirement.[3][4]
Two middleweight bouts between Kevin Holland and Kyle Daukaus, as well as Eryk Anders and Roman Dolidze were scheduled for the event. However, Holland withdrew from his bout due to injury,[10] and Anders withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons. Daukaus and Dolidze were then scheduled to face each other instead.[11] In turn, the bout was scrapped due to COVID-19 protocols related to Dolidze's camp.[12]
A lightweight bout between Marc Diakiese and Rafael Alves was rescheduled for the event.[13] The pair was previously expected to meet at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till, but Alves pulled out of the fight in mid-August due to undisclosed reasons and the bout was scrapped.[14]
A featherweight bout between Lando Vannata and Tucker Lutz was expected to take place at this event.[15] However, Lutz was pulled from the bout and instead scheduled to face Pat Sabatini at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate.[16]
A light heavyweight bout between Danilo Marques and Jailton Almeida was scheduled for this event.[20] However, the bout was rescheduled due to Danilo getting injured and it is now expected to take place at UFC Fight Night 201.[21]
At the weigh-ins, two fighters missed weight for their respective bouts. Joel Álvarez weighed in at 157.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. Liana Jojua weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the women's flyweight non-title fight limit. Both bouts proceeded at catchweight with Álvarez and Jojua each fined 30% of their purses, which went to their opponents Thiago Moisés and Cortney Casey respectively.[22]
