The event was the seventh event that the UFC has hosted in Montreal, Quebec. The event was expected to be headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship rematch between the then current champion T.J. Dillashaw and former champion Renan Barão. However on March 24, it was announced that Dillashaw had to pull out of the fight due to a broken rib and the fight was postponed. A UFC Flyweight Championship bout between current champion Demetrious Johnson and top contender Kyoji Horiguchi, originally scheduled for the co-main event, served as the event's headliner. A welterweight bout between Rory MacDonald and Hector Lombard was expected to take place at the event. However, on February 10, the UFC announced the removal of both participants from the card and indicated that the pairing had been scrapped. It was later revealed that the fight was canceled due to Lombard's failed drug test from UFC 182. Subsequently, it was announced that MacDonald would receive a title shot against current champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. Cláudio Silva was expected to face Nordine Taleb at the event. However, Silva pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Chris Clements. Abel Trujillo was expected to face John Makdessi at the event. However on April 1, it was announced that Trujillo had pulled out of the fight due to a broken arm and was replaced by promotional newcomer Shane Campbell. The fight was contested at a catchweight of 160 lbs. Former UFC Light Heavyweight championQuinton Jackson was expected to make his promotional return against Fábio Maldonado at the co-main event. However on April 7, Bellator MMA, Jackson's most recent employer, was granted an injunction by a New Jersey Superior Court judge preventing him from competing after it was alleged that he breached his Bellator contract. Three days later the UFC announced that Jackson would be replaced by former hockeyplayerSteve Bossé and stated "at the moment, Jackson and his representatives plan to appeal the court’s order." On April 21, the court injunction blocking Jackson’s return was lifted. The bout maintained its original co-main event status and was contested at a catchweight of 215 lbs. Bossé did not compete at the event, but received his show money.
Results
Bonus awards
The following fighters were awarded $50,000 bonuses:
Fight of the Night: Chad Laprise vs. Bryan Barberena
Performance of the Night: Demetrious Johnson and Thomas Almeida
