Description The main event featured the return of UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture versus Brock Lesnar in a title bout. The decision to grant Lesnar – who was 1–1 in UFC fights at the time – the title shot was controversial at the time. Some felt it was premature and marketing driven, while others argued the relative lack of depth in the heavyweight division at the time left no clear-cut contenders to the belt.
Matthew Riddle was forced to withdraw from his bout with Ryan Thomas due to an injury. He was replaced by Matt Brown.
Amir Sadollah withdrew from his fight against Nick Catone due to a leg infection. A replacement for Sadollah could not be found, therefore the middleweight bout was pulled from the card. A welterweight match between Dustin Hazelett and Tamdan McCrory, previously scheduled for the preliminary card, was moved to the main card.
Unlike most UFC fight cards, every bout was aired on the PPV broadcast due to the quick endings of the main card bouts.
Also future Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos made his UFC debut at this event.