The UFC is heading for a confusing place regarding International Fight Week. The annual marquee event generally features a huge main event, and many believed that a matchup between current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would be that matchup.

Muhammad leaves Montreal without the title he won in July by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. The result also marked Muhammad's first loss since a unanimous decision against Geoff Neal in January 2019, ending a 10-fight winning streak, which also included a no contest against Edwards.