The event was originally expected to take place at The O2 Arena in London, England.[1] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing a travel ban in the United Kingdom, UFC president Dana White announced on March 15 that the event would have to move to a new location to be decided and some of the fights scheduled might be affected.[4]
A welterweight bout between former UFC Welterweight ChampionTyron Woodley and Leon Edwards was expected to serve as the event headliner.[5] However, Edwards pulled out on March 15 due to the cancellation of the event in London.[6]
While not officially announced by the organization, a lightweight bout between Stevie Ray and Marc Diakiese was expected to take place at the event.[7] However, Ray was removed from the card in late January for undisclosed reasons. Diakiese was expected to remain on the card against promotional newcomer Jai Herbert.[8]
After the event was pulled from London, UFC president Dana White announced that the plan was to move the card somewhere stateside. That prompted cancellations in several bouts expected to take place at this event, including the main event.[6][10]Cage Warriors (a mixed martial arts promotion based in London) president Graham Boylan indicated that he would like to help some of these bouts to happen in his promotion's event scheduled for March 20.[11] On March 16, it was confirmed that the event was postponed after a letter from White to employees was shared to the public.[3] This was the first time that the promotion was forced to cancel events due to vis major. The UFC also cancelled two events scheduled for March 28 and April 11.[12] White assured on March 24 that all cancelled fights would be rescheduled for future events.[13] It was announced on April 1 that all fighters that were scheduled to appear at the event would be paid.[14]
