In the main event, former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev looks to add a second divisional title when he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight crown. Meanwhile, in the co-feature, former women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili moves up to 125 pounds to challenge flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko.

Both Jones and UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira reciprocated interest in fighting each other at the planned White House event next June. Former two-division UFC champ Jones is widely considered the greatest fighter of all time, and Pereira one of the biggest stars in the sport.