UFC 161

Editorial by Jose Mourinho

         UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held on June 15, 2013 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

While the UFC has hosted several events in the past in Canada, the event will be the first that the organization has hosted in Manitoba.

The event was expected to feature an Interim Bantamweight Championship bout between the current champion Renan Barão, and former WEC Bantamweight Champion and top contender Eddie Wineland. However, on May 21 it was confirmed that Barão had pulled out of the bout, citing a foot injury. With, Barão's departure, Wineland was removed from the card as well. As a result, the scheduled bout between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson has been moved up the card and serve as the headliner in a three round bout.

TJ Waldburger was expected to face Sean Pierson at the event. However, Waldburger was pulled from the event and replaced by Kenny Robertson.

Stipe Miocic was scheduled to face returning veteran Soa Palelei on the undercard, but due to the change in the main event, UFC bolstered the main card and replaced Palelei with Roy Nelson. As a result, Palelei was removed from the card, but is expected to attend fight week activities as potential replacement for either two heavyweight fights at the event.

Isaac Vallie-Flagg was expected to face Sam Stout at the event. However, Vallie-Flagg was forced out with a back injury and was replaced by James Krause.

Antônio Rogério Nogueira was expected to face Maurício Rua in a rematch in the co-main event. However, Nogueira pulled out of the bout in the days leading up to the event citing a back injury. Chael Sonnen was briefly linked as a replacement for Nogueira. An alleged visa issue created a problem for Sonnen to get into Canada, resulting in Rua being pulled from the event altogether. 

                                                                         Main Card

            weight class 

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