Spike TV broadcast three preliminary bouts one hour before the live PPV broadcast began.[7]
This event was seen in movie theaters throughout the United States via National CineMedia's Fathom event distribution service.[8] Also, it was shown at the Cineplex Odeon chain in Canada.[9]
On March 10, 2010 it was announced that the event was officially sold out.[10]
There was also some controversy that the UFC airbrushed Hardy's tattoo which reads "om mani padme hum" for their promotional poster. UFC president Dana White later admitted that this was done so as to not provoke the Chinese government.[11]
On March 25, 2010 Thiago Alves was removed from the card due to brain irregularity from a pre-fight CAT scan.[12] After learning of the removal, Ben Saunders, who was scheduled to fight Jake Ellenberger, requested Alves's opponent, Jon Fitch, and subsequently replaced Ellenberger on the card. As a result, Ellenberger did not compete but received his "show" and "win" money to make up for the last minute switch.[13] The fight between Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes was moved up to the main card as a result of the cancellation.
On March 26 at the official weigh-ins, Rory Markham weighed 177 lb. He forfeited $1,000 (12.5% of his purse) to Nate Diaz.[14]
