UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Ariel Helwhiney
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson. June 15, 2013. MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The first UFC event in Winnipeg and the first in Manitoba. Rashad Evans defeated Dan Henderson by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) in a three-round light heavyweight non-title main event, snapping a two-fight losing streak.
The original main event was an Interim Bantamweight Championship fight between champion Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland. Barao withdrew on May 21 with a foot injury, which also removed Wineland from the card. The Evans-Henderson fight was elevated from the co-main. The event drew 14,754 fans but only 140,000 PPV buys — among the lowest of 2013.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: June 15, 2013
Venue: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (FIRST UFC IN WINNIPEG / MANITOBA)
Attendance: 14,754; Gate: $3,150,000; PPV: 140,000 (one of the lowest of 2013)
Main Event: Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson — LHW (3 rounds; non-title; elevated after Barao withdrew from interim BW title fight)
Result: Evans def. Henderson — SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) — controversial; Evans breaks 2-fight losing streak
Notable: Barao withdrew (foot injury) 25 days before event; original main event removed; Stipe Miocic on card; Stout/Krause FOTN
The Build-Up
Rashad Evans had lost two consecutive fights — to Jon Jones at UFC 145 and to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156. Henderson was on a two-fight win streak. Neither fighter was positioned as a legitimate LHW title contender at the time of the fight. The card’s identity was built around the Barao-Wineland BW title fight, which was pulled 25 days before the event. The PPV buyrate reflected the collapse of the marquee match.
Main Event
Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson — Light Heavyweight (3 rounds)
Henderson landed his right hand on multiple occasions but Rashad Evans controlled the positioning and accumulated more total output. Evans won round three decisively and used it to take the split decision. Two judges scored it 29-28 for Evans; one scored it 28-29 for Henderson. It was a competitive fight that lacked a decisive moment.
Co-Main Event
Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic — Heavyweight
Miocic defeated Roy Nelson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), continuing his rise through the UFC HW ranks. Miocic controlled Nelson with takedowns and struck cleanly on the feet. Nelson’s power punching could not find Miocic’s chin across three rounds.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
James Krause def. Sam Stout — Submission — R? — LW; Sub Night + Fight of the Night bonus ($50k to Krause; $50k each FOTN)
Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire — Decision — R3 — LW
Alexis Davis def. Rosi Sexton — Decision — R3 — WW [Women]
Ryan Jimmo def. Igor Pokrajac — KO — R? — LHW
Main Card
Pat Barry def. Shawn Jordan — KO — R? — HW; KOTN ($50k to Shawn Jordan from sacnilk; Barry KO’d Jordan)
Stipe Miocic def. Roy Nelson — Decision — R3 — HW; Co-Main; Miocic continues to rise
LHW Non-Title (3 rounds) — Main Event
Rashad Evans def. Dan Henderson — SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) — LHW; Evans breaks losing streak; controversial
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. James Krause — $50,000 to each fighter.
KO of the Night: Shawn Jordan — $50,000.
Sub of the Night: James Krause — $50,000.
Records & Milestones
First UFC in Winnipeg / Manitoba — MTS Centre, June 15, 2013; the UFC’s seventh Canadian city to host an event.
Stipe Miocic def. Roy Nelson UD — Miocic’s victory over an established HW contender accelerated his trajectory; he became UFC HW Champion in 2016.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 161 is the clearest example in the 2013 calendar of how a card’s commercial value depends on its main event. The removal of the Barao-Wineland BW interim title fight, which was the card’s only story with divisional stakes, reduced the event to a non-title LHW fight between two fighters both coming off losses. The 140,000 PPV buyrate reflected that exactly.
The arena attendance of 14,754 showed genuine regional interest in Winnipeg. The city had not hosted a major boxing or combat sports event in years. The UFC’s expansion into western Canada found a willing market.
FAQ
Why was UFC 161 the first UFC in Winnipeg?
The UFC had hosted events in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary in previous years. Winnipeg and Manitoba had not been selected. UFC 161 in June 2013 was the promotional debut in the city.
What was the original UFC 161 main event?
An Interim Bantamweight Championship fight between champion Renan Barao and challenger Eddie Wineland. Barao withdrew with a foot injury on May 21, 2013, and both fighters were removed from the card.
Was Evans vs Henderson a controversial decision at UFC 161?
Yes. Henderson landed his right hand multiple times and one judge scored the fight for him. Evans was awarded the win by two judges. The result was close and the fight lacked a standout moment that would have made either result definitive.
Who was Stipe Miocic at UFC 161?
Miocic was a rising heavyweight who defeated Roy Nelson by unanimous decision at UFC 161. He had previously made his UFC debut at UFC 136. He became UFC HW Champion in 2016 and had three title reigns.
How low was the UFC 161 PPV buyrate?
UFC 161 recorded approximately 140,000 PPV buys — one of the lowest for a numbered UFC PPV event in 2013. The collapse of the original main event (Barao-Wineland) was the primary factor.
References
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