The winner of a bout between Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez was to be guaranteed a title shot for the UFC Heavyweight Championship against the eventual winner of the Lesnar vs. Carwin bout.[5] The planned bout was later scrapped when Nogueira was forced to pull out of the fight due to a severe case of staph infection.[6] A possible Velasquez vs. Carwin match for an interim belt had been ruled out as a new main event due to Carwin undergoing knee surgery,[7] although there were talks of the fight possibly happening at a later date.[8][9] The Nogueira/Velasquez bout was scheduled for February 21, 2010 at UFC 110,[10] though it was not for the interim belt.
On December 11, Tyson Griffin pulled out of his bout with Jim Miller, citing an injury.[15]Sean Sherk, who originally had a fight with Rafaello Oliveira, stepped up as Griffin's replacement.[16] However, on December 17, Sherk pulled out of the fight; Duane Ludwig would eventually replace Sherk.[17]
Martin Kampmann vs. Rory Markham was also called off days later due to a knee injury. On December 14 it was announced that Jacob Volkmann would be replacing Markham. Volkmann came off short rest after last fighting at UFC 106.[18]
On December 29, it was announced that Steve Cantwell had pulled out of his scheduled bout with Vladimir Matyushenko. Since there was no time to find a suitable replacement to face Matyushenko, the bout was called off.[19]
^This bout aired on the PPV broadcast following the Lauzon vs. Stout fight.
^This bout aired on the PPV broadcast following the Miller vs. Ludwig fight.
^This bout aired on the Spike broadcast following the Kampmann vs. Volkmann fight. This bout also aired on the PPV broadcast following the Hazelett vs. Daley fight.
^This bout aired on the Spike broadcast following the Miller vs. Lauzon fight. This bout also aired last on the PPV broadcast following the Evans vs. Silva fight.
The following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC and also do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses.[21]