The main event featured The Ultimate Fighter 2 heavyweight winner Rashad Evans against The Ultimate Fighter 3 light heavyweight winner Michael Bisping in a light heavyweight contest. This was Bisping´s last fight before dropping to Middleweight. Additionally, PRIDE veterans Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono both made their UFC debuts. Both fighters fought at 183 pounds in Japan, but with the UFC´s inclusion of the 170 pound division each fighter moved down to fight at welterweight. Cuban judoka Hector Lombard was also scheduled to debut on the event but did not participate due to visa issues. Karo Parisyan instead faced Ryo Chonan, and Thiago Alves fought Chris Lytle.