It was rumored on Saturday night that UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao had been injured in training and would be out of his scheduled UFC 161 bout with Eddie Wineland. On Tuesday officials made it clear that he would be unable to compete in Winnipeg on June 15.
With under a month to find a replacement match-up, the UFC promoted the co-main event between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson up to main event status.
Evans (17-3-1) is riding the worst streak of his career with two straight losses. After winning four in a row, Evans lost to Jon Jones in a UFC light heavyweight title match at UFC 145 and most recently to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156 in February.
The Blackzilian fight later announced that in the first round of his match-up with Lil’ Nog he had broken his hand.
Henderson (29-9) is coming off a split-decision loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 157 in February. Prior to that loss, Hendo was riding a four-fight winning streak with key victories over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (UFC 139) and Fedor Emelianenko (Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson).
The long considered number one contender in the light heavyweight division was supposed to fight Jon Jones for the title at UFC 151, however pulled out at the last minute and in the end the entire card was cancelled.
No word as to what will happen with Wineland, but the main card now has room for one more bout.
UFC 161 will be the organizations first trip to Winnipeg, Canada. It will take place at the MPS Centre and will also feature Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Soa Palelei vs. Stipe Miocic.
Keep it locked to MMASucka.com for more news on UFC 161.
