UFC 161

Background

While the UFC has hosted several events in the past in Canada, the event was 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 was moved up the card and served 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 attended 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. However, an alleged visa issue created a problem for Sonnen to get into Canada, resulting in Rua being pulled from the event altogether.

The preliminary card was headlined by Jake Shields vs Tyron Woodley.

Results

|Light Heavyweight |Rashad Evans |def. |Dan Henderson |Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | |Heavyweight |Stipe Miocic |def. |Roy Nelson |Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) |3 |5:00 | |Light Heavyweight |Ryan Jimmo |def. |Igor Pokrajac |Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) |3 |5:00 | |Women's Bantamweight |Alexis Davis |def. |Rosi Sexton |Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–27, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | |Heavyweight |Shawn Jordan |def. |Pat Barry |TKO (punches) |1 |0:59 | |Welterweight |Jake Shields |def. |Tyron Woodley |Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | |Lightweight |James Krause |def. |Sam Stout |Submission (guillotine choke) |3 |4:47 | |Welterweight |Sean Pierson |def. |Kenny Robertson |Decision (majority) (29–28, 29–28, 28–28) |3 |5:00 | |Bantamweight |Roland Delorme |def. |Edwin Figueroa |Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | |Lightweight |Mitch Clarke |def. |John Maguire |Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 | |Bantamweight |Yves Jabouin |def. |Dustin Pague |Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) |3 |5:00 |

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses.

• Fight of the Night: Sam Stout vs. James Krause
• Knockout of the Night: Shawn Jordan
• Submission of the Night: James Krause

References

References

1. Staff. (2013-06-16). "UFC 161 draws reported 14,754 attendance and $3.15 million live gate". MMAjunkie.com.
2. (2013-07-25). "Pay Per View". MMAPayout.com.
3. Staff. (2013-03-05). "UFC hits Winnipeg for UFC 161 on June 15". ufc.com.
4. Canadian Press. (2013-03-05). "It's official: Winnipeg will host UFC 161". sports.nationalpost.com.
5. Canadian Press. (2013-03-05). "UFC comes to Winnipeg for first time with show set for June". tsn.ca.com.
6. Matt Erickson. (2013-03-06). "Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland to headline UFC 161". USAToday.com.
7. Jesse Holland. (2013-03-06). "Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland title fight set to headline UFC 161 in Winnipeg". MMAmania.com.
8. John Morgan. (2013-05-21). "Injured champ Renan Barao officially out of UFC 161 headliner". mmajunkie.com.
9. Mike Bohn. (2013-05-22). "Eddie Wineland 'crushed' by Renan Barao's withdrawal from UFC 161; hopes fight is rescheduled". MMAmania.com.
10. Staff. (2013-05-21). "With Renan Barao hurt, Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson headlines UFC 161". mmajunkie.com.
11. Staff. (2013-05-02). "TJ Waldburger Out, UFC 161 Match-up Now Pits Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson". MMAweekly.com.
12. John Morgan. (2013-05-21). "USA TODAY: Nelson vs. Miocic added to UFC 161, six-fight main card possible". mmajunkie.com.
13. Staff. (2013-05-22). "Soa Palelei off UFC 161 card; remains as a backup". fightnewsaustralia.com.
14. Staff. (2013-05-29). "James Krause replaces Isaac Vallie-Flagg, meets Sam Stout at UFC 161". mmajunkie.com.
15. Tim Burke. (2013-06-02). "Antonio Rogerio Nogueria out at UFC 161 due to back injury". bloodyelbow.com.
16. Staff. (2013-06-03). "Chael Sonnen reportedly replaces Nogueira, meets 'Shogun' Rua at UFC 161". mmajunkie.com.
17. Staff. (2013-06-03). "Visa issues reportedly scrap Sonnen-Rua at UFC 161, Jimmo-Pokrajac head to main". mmajunkie.com.
18. "UFC® 161: Evans vs. Henderson". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
19. Staff. (2012-06-16). "UFC 161 bonuses: Krause earns $100K, Jordan, Stout score $50K awards". MMAjunkie.com.