The world’s biggest Mixed Martial Arts organization touches down in Winnipeg for the first time Saturday night.
UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson is the talk of the town, even if a couple of last-minute injuries nearly derailed the whole event.
“These things are going to happen,” UFC President Dana White told The Canadian Press. “Unfortunately a couple of them happened in Canada.”
The original main event, featuring interim-bantamweight champion Renan Barao against challenger Eddie Wineland, was scrapped after Barao injured his foot and had to pull out of the fight.
The hits kept coming: the card lost its co-main event to injury as well, and visa issues were a problem for some fighters. But in the fight business as in show business, there’s a golden rule: the show (usually) must go on.
“There’s always bumps on the road,” White said. “Guys get injured, it happens.”
Now UFC 161 features a clash of respected veterans, some heavyweight tussles, as well as the first ever women’s UFC bout in Canada.
Main Event: Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans
The fighters: With a combined 25 UFC fights between them, Dan Henderson and “Suga” Rashad Evans are the walking definitions of “well-respected veterans.”
They both bring outstanding amateur wrestling pedigrees to the fight as well: Henderson represented the United States in Greco-Roman wrestling in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic games, while Evans is a former junior college national champion in freestyle wrestling.
At 42 years old and still arguably in his prime, Dan Henderson’s biggest advantage in a fight is his nuclear-strong right hand (dubbed “The H-Bomb” by MMA fans) and his cinder block chin. Rashad Evans is no stranger to big knockouts either, having most famously given former UFC champion Chuck Liddell the biggest KO loss of his career.
The fight: Despite the fact that both men possess outstanding wrestling, this fight will likely take place on the feet. Dan Henderson will try to make this a brawl, where his power and durability gives him the edge over just about everyone. Look for Rashad to use his speed, his versatility, and the fact that Henderson is a decade his senior to try and keep the wily veteran off-balance and tired down the stretch.
Co-Main Event: Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic
The fighters: With a gut like a trucker and a mullet right out of the 1980’s, Roy “Big Country” Nelson looks like he’d be more at home in a hot dog eating contest than a martial arts exhibition. But not only is Nelson a legitimate and respected Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he also possesses perhaps the best one-hit KO power in the heavyweight division.
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Stipe Miocic will look to test that theory, however. Coming off the first loss of his career, Miocic will look to get back to the form that saw him win seven of his nine fights via knockout.
The fight: This fight should be akin to two bulldozers running into each other, as the 243 lbs. Miocic will collide with the 265 lbs. Nelson in what should be a stand-up battle. Don’t mistake this for a sloppy brawl, however. Both guys possess legitimate and dangerous stand-up skills – Miocic is the more well-rounded striker, but Nelson nearly always finds a way to land his big power shots.
Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton
The fighters: Tonight is an important milestone for Port Colbourne, Ontario’s Alexis Davis. Not only is she making her UFC debut, but her fight itself happens to be the first-ever UFC women’s fight on Canadian soil.
Both Davis and her opponent, England’s Rosi Sexton, bring strong records from smaller MMA promotions. They’re a combined 33-7, and exactly the sort of polished, experienced fighters the UFC is looking for as it builds it’s still-nascent women’s 135 lbs. division.
The fight: Both women have strong backgrounds in Jiu-Jitsu, so this fight is likely to be decided on the mat. Sexton will have to overcome a couple disadvantages: she’s moving up from her natural weight class (125 lbs.) for this fight, for one. She’ll also have to deal with the partisan Canadian crowd, for whatever that’s worth.
But seeing as Sexton managed to earn a PhD in Theoretical Computer Science at the same time she was training as an MMA fighter, it’s doubtful she’ll find a little crowd noise to be an issue.
Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac
The fighters: Saint John, New Brunswick-born Ryan Jimmo has been a staple of the regional Canadian MMA scene for years. Since coming to the UFC, however, he hasn’t been as consistent, going 1-1 in his two fights with the promotion.
He’ll look to right the ship against Croatia’s Igor Pokrajac, a dangerous kickboxer and protégé of MMA legend (and Croatian folk hero) Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović. Pokrajac brings a ton of experience but, like Jimmo, is coming off a loss and looking to get back on track.
The fight: Tough to predict how this one plays out. Jimmo has a very controlling, grinding style – at the same time, he’s currently tied for fastest KO in UFC history (seven seconds) so you’re never sure what you’re going to get with him.
Pokrajac will look to take over early and try to end this fight quickly. The majority of his losses in the UFC have come via decision. The longer this fight goes, the more it favors Jimmo.
Pat Berry vs. Shawn Jordan
The fighters: Pat Berry is one of the more outlandish personalities in the UFC. He’s as famous for his funny tweets and strange/funny videos outside the cage as he is for his kickboxing acumen inside it. But despite his popularity, Berry has never managed to string two wins together in his UFC career.
He’ll look to do just that against fellow heavyweight Shawn Jordan in the opening bout of the PPV card. A product of famed MMA coach Greg Jackson, Jordan brings experience and legitimate knockout power.
The fight: The opening bout of a UFC card is usually chosen for it’s “fun” factor, and this fight certainly delivers. As two aggressive heavyweights with a penchant for settling fights on their feet, this is exactly the sort of fight that can get the MTS Centre crowd fired up – as well as provide the perfect accompaniment as you settle in with your wings and nachos.
With files from the Canadian Press
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