• UFC 161

Rashad v Hendo headlines UFC 161 after Barao blow

Brett Okamoto
May 22, 2013
Dan Henderson is coming off a loss to Lyoto Machida © Getty Images
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A light-heavyweight bout between former UFC champion Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson has been promoted to the main event of UFC 161 on June 15 in Winnipeg, Canada.

Interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao was originally scheduled to headline the pay-per-view event against challenger Eddie Wineland, but withdrew due to torn ligaments in his foot.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the news to ESPN.com on Tuesday, via text. The Evans-Henderson bout had originally been scheduled as the third-to-last bout of the evening.

"[Barao is] out and new main is Rashad and Hendo," White wrote.

White said in a text to ESPN.com that he's "working on stuff" for Wineland (20-8-1) to remain on the card.

Evans (17-3-1) is looking to rebound from consecutive losses in his past two fights. He dropped a unanimous decision to 205lb champion Jon Jones in April 2012 and then was upset via decision by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in February.

Henderson (29-9) had been scheduled for a title shot against Jones last September, but withdrew with a knee injury. He eventually fought Lyoto Machida at UFC 157 and lost a split decision.

This article first appeared on ESPN.com

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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