The event was the fifth the UFC had hosted in Connecticut and the first since UFC 55 in 2005.[4][5] It was held in Mashantucket, a federally recognized Native American nation in the state of Connecticut.
As a result of the cancellation of UFC 176, a rematch between Gegard Mousasi and Ronaldo Souza was rescheduled for this event and served as the event headliner.[6]
Initially, bantamweight bouts between Dustin Kimura vs. Ian Entwistle and Chris Beal vs. Rob Font were slated for the event. However, Entwistle and Font each pulled out of the bouts citing injuries. Subsequently, Kimura was briefly rescheduled to face Beal.[8] In turn, Kimura also pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Tateki Matsuda.[9]
Charles Oliveira weighed in over the 146 pound featherweight limit at 150 pounds. Subsequently, he was forced to surrender 20 percent of his purse to opponent Nik Lentz and the bout was changed to a catchweight affair.[11] In turn, Oliveira was pulled from the event entirely on the day of the event after he fell ill from the effects of the weight cutting process.[12]
