It was not the dominant performance he needed to re-enter the title discussion, but Rashad Evans at least got the win.
Evans defeated Dan Henderson in a lackluster main-event to a lackluster UFC 161 event Saturday. Riddled with injuries, the show didn’t deliver on fight night either, making for a disappointing overall viewing experience.
Even after getting rocked in the first round, Evans continued pressing forward with strikes and takedown attempts in rounds two and three. His offense, though sometimes energetic, never amounted to anything particularly exciting or damaging. Still, when all was said and done, it was enough for a split decision victory.
A co-main-event that most felt would end definitively in favor of Roy “Big Country” Nelson took a surprise turn. Stipe Miocic, a promising but undecorated UFC heavyweight, definitively outpointed Nelson in all three rounds, putting the absolute hurt on a man who usually dishes out the pain. Nelson was simply too slow, too tired and too predictable to threaten Miocic.
Also on the show: Ryan Jimmo defeated Igor Pokrajac in an absolute snoozefest, Alexis Davis defeated Rosi Sexton in an entertaining women’s fight and Shawn Jordan knocked out Pat Barry in less than one minute. A dreary fight between Jake Shields and Tyron Woodley headlined the prelims.
Full UFC 161 Results:
Rashad Evans b. Dan Henderson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Stipe Miocic b. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Ryan Jimmo b. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Alexis Davis b. Rosi Sexton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
Shawn Jordan b. Pat Barry via TKO (punches) at :59 of Round One
Jake Shields b. Tyron Woodley via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
James Krause b. Sam Stout via submission (guillotine) at 4:47 of Round Three
Sean Pierson b. Kenny Robertson via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Roland Delorme b. Edwin Figueroa via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Mitch Clarke b. John Maguire via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Yves Jabouin b. Justin Pague via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)