The name "First Defense" refers to a scheduled Heavyweight title Bout between Kevin Randleman and Pedro Rizzo, which did not happen due to injury. While warming up backstage during the event, Randleman slipped on the concrete floor and hit his head, knocking himself out completely. Randleman was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was revived, and diagnosed with a concussion. As the incident happened during the broadcast, fans in attendance and viewers watching on pay per view were not notified until the end of the show. The bout was rescheduled and took place at UFC 26.
This event also marked the appearance of Dan Severn as a referee for the preliminary bouts. Unlike the traditional solid black garb of a UFC referee, he wore black and white stripes and red shoes.
UFC 24 was initially seen live on pay per view, but was not released on home video at the time. A double DVD with UFC 23 and 24 was released in 2007.
