Without fans in attendance, the promotion did not have to make consideration for the local timing of the event, so the plan was to proceed with normal timing for prime time hours on the east coast of North America. The main card was scheduled to begin at 3:00 am (October 18) local time in Abu Dhabi, with a full preliminary card beginning at approximately 12:00 am Gulf Standard Time.[4]
A heavyweight bout between Ciryl Gane and Shamil Abdurakhimov was expected to take place at this event.[10][11] The pairing was originally scheduled for UFC 249, but Gane was forced to pull out of the event after he suffered a pneumothorax in training.[12] Subsequently, the pairing was rescheduled and cancelled on three other occasions for various reasons. First at UFC 251, then briefly for UFC 253 and UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley.[13] The bout fell through once again as Abdurakhimov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons on September 28 and Gane was expected to face promotional newcomer Ante Delija.[14] However, that bout was also cancelled on October 14 due to contractual issues with Delija, seemingly related to his previous deal with the PFL.[15]
A light heavyweight bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Volkan Oezdemir and Nikita Krylov was briefly linked to the event. However, Oezdemir pulled out of the fight in early October citing a knee injury.[19] A replacement could not be found and Krylov was removed from the card.[22]
Muslim Salikhov was expected to face Cláudio Silva in a welterweight bout at the event. However, it was announced on October 4 that Salikhov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by James Krause.[23]
Mounir Lazzez was expected to face David Zawada in a welterweight bout at the event. However, it was reported on October 6 that Lazzez tested positive for COVID-19 and would not compete. In turn, Zawada was removed from the card.[25]
