A high-profile light-heavyweight matchup between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson has been added to UFC 161 in Winnipeg.
Both men are coming off lacklustre losses that generated boos from fans in attendance. Henderson is coming off a split-decision defeat to Lyoto Machida at UFC 157; Evans is coming off a unanimous decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156.
Evans (17-3-1) is a former UFC champion currently riding the first two-fight losing streak of his career.
Henderson (29-9) is a former Strikeforce and Pride champion who turns 42 in August.
Another 205-pound bout was made official Tuesday as Nogueira vs. Mauricio (Shogun) Rua was announced for Manitoba’s first UFC event, which will take place at the MTS Centre, home of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets on June 15. Nogueira and Rua previously fought at Pride Critical Countdown 2005 in what was considered the Fight of the Year.
On Wednesday it was announced that an interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland will headline Manitoba’s first UFC event.
The projected fight card currently looks like this:
— Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland (for UFC interim bantamweight title)
— Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson
— Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Mauricio Rua
— Soa Palelei vs. Stipe Miocic
— Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley