UFC 161 Results: Rashad Evans Defeats Dan Henderson

By Jaime C. Feal

A lackluster card disappointed many fans, as injuries derailed what could have been a great night of fights. The last thing the UFC wants to see happen is the free shows on Fuel TV being more exciting than the pay per views, something they have been able to avoid as of late. Tonight was an exception, but hopefully not the start of a new trend. Starting off the main card, Shawn Jordan picked up the biggest win of his career by knocking out Pat Barry in under one minute. Later in the night, Canadian striker Ryan Jimmo survived an early scare to defeat Igor Pokrajac by unanimous decision.

Heavyweight Division (265 lbs.):

Pat “HD” Barry (8-5, 5-5 UFC) vs. Shawn “The Savage” Jordan (14-4, 2-1 UFC)

Round 1:

The fighters begin measuring the distance, looking to load up on a shot. Barry starts with a high kick which is blocked. Each throws a right hand that misses. Jordan clips Barry with a right uppercut and swarms him with another vicious uppercut. Barry crumbles against the cage as Jordan unloads with a flurry of left hands, Barry may even have tapped to strikes but the ref comes in to stop it anyways. Jordan lives up to his nickname with the savage finish.

Shawn “The Savage” Jordan wins by TKO at 0:58 of Round 1.

Heavyweight Division (265 lbs.):

Roy “Big Country” Nelson (19-7, 6-3 UFC) vs. Stipe Miocic (9-1, 3-1 UFC)

Round 1:

Both fighter swing wildly but miss. Miocic misses with another punch. Now Stipe lands a good right hand. Nice one-two from Nelson. Outside leg kick for Big Country. Miocic with a very nice combination that touches Roy on his chin, Nelson of course walks through it. Nice right hand by Miocic. Another nasty combination from Miocic, Nelson tries to take him down but Miocic sprawls nicely, lands some more punches. Nelson gets back to his feet. Big series of punches and Roy Nelson is in huge trouble. Country is in danger right now, hard elbows in the clinch. 10-9 round for Miocic.

Round 2:

Miocic using his athleticism and clean, straight punches to pick Nelson apart. Impressive performance thus far from Miocic. Nelson is getting absolutely tagged again, Nelson is just covering up, offering no offense. Nice short elbows from Miocic. Hard body kick lands for Stipe. Nelson trying to jab to find his offense, can’t really get it going. Hard one-two from Miocic. Nelson gets hit by a right hand again. Nelson lands an uppercut, has Miocic backpedaling away. Miocic back on the offense, landing some jabs. Beautiful combination from Miocic, Nelson clinches him against the cage. 10-9 round for Miocic.

Round 3:

Nasty counter punches landing for Miocic. Nelson eats the punches, but looks tired and wary. Decent left hook lands for Nelson. Miocic fakes a takedown, blocks a right hand, circles away. Just a masterful performance from Miocic. Nice counter right lands for Big Country, but doesn’t do enough damage. The fighters lock up on the cage, not much action taking place. The ref breaks them, about a minute and a half left in the fight. Miocic back to the jab. Nelson tries to rush forward and misses wildly. Miocic lands another hard one-two that backs Nelson up to the cage. Nelson clinches, just hanging on. Poor performance from Nelson, who was looking to move up the heavyweight ladder towards a title shot. Good combo by Miocic to end the fight. 10-9 round for Miocic.

All three judges score the fight 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision Stipe Miocic.

Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs.):

Dan “Hendo” Henderson (29-9, 6-3 UFC) vs. “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-3-1, 12-3-1 UFC)

Round 1:

Both fighters crouched low, looking to land a right hand. Evans bouncing on his toes, tries to jab. Henderson tries the same jab, can’t connect. Now Evans hits Hendo with a jab. Evans with the noticeable speed advantage. Henderson comes forwards, misses with a couple right hands, but lands an uppercut. Evans doing lots of hand feints. Evans tries to unload with a big left hook but misses. Henderson looking slow thus far. Good combination from Rashad. Henderson looking tentative. Henderson again tries to come forward with two right hands, but misses. Nice jab from Evans. Henderson catches Evans coming forward and starts unloading on Evans. Henderson starting to wind up and land bombs, but Evans somehow gets out of the corner and survives. 10-9 round for Evans.

Round 2:

Evans shoots for a takedown and briefly gets Henderson down against the cage. Henderson gets up, but Rashad is muscling him against the cage. Evans is looking very strong this fight. Henderson starting to knee, which causes Evans to back away. Big right hand from Evans. Henderson takes it fine, then lands a huge uppercut that definitely gets Evans’ attention. Back in the center of the cage, both fighters trying to jab to set up the right hand. Good combination from Evans as he pushes forward. Henderson clinches with him against the cage. Rashad breaks free, lands a right hand. Evans looking sharp, crisp, confident. Henderson of course only one big “H-bomb” away from hanging this, but he looks sluggish. Evans tries for a takedown, gets thrown to the side by Henderson. First time we have seen Hendo clearly outmuscle Evans there. 10-9 round for Evans.

Round 3:

Jab from Evans finds the mark. Henderson comes forward and awkwardly misses with a right hand. Nice right hand from Evans. Excellent combination from Evans, lightning quick efficiency and enough sting to wobble Henderson. Evans doesn’t go in for the kill, and Henderson regains his wits. Henderson takes a deep breath. Right hand misses for Hendo. Jabs from Evans land, and backs away from Henderson’s attempted punches. Evans shoots for a single leg takedown, Henderson employs excellent takedown defense to shrug it off. Nice body shot by Evans, still has a lot of speed and tenacity in his combinations. Henderson is looking old tonight. Another stiff jab from the former champion Rashad Evans. An uppercut finally lands for Henderson. Evans pushes him forward and the fighters grapple on the cage. Evans using dirty boxing as we hit the one minute to go mark. Evans again looking for a single leg, Henderson defends, and lands a nice elbow. Some punches land for Evans to the body, Henderson looking to load up but can’t find the mark. 10-9 round for Evans.

The judges score the fight 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 for the winner by split decision “Suga” Rashad Evans