UFC 161: Evans and Henderson Meet at the Cross Road

One man can spark a title run on Saturday night. The other will be staring down the barrel of irrelevancy. Al Dannity previews the unique clash of Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans at UFC 161.

Losing to Jon Jones was expected. Looking like he didn’t want to fight against Little Nog was unacceptable. Suddenly Rashad Evans has gone from looking like the second best man in his division to a fighter on the way out. The former UFC champion has a chance to change the narrative this Saturday night in Winnipeg but he’s got to get through one of the wiliest fighters in the business to do it.

Dan Henderson is about as smart as they come inside the octagon. Hendo’s split decision loss to Lyoto Machida took him out of the title picture but also kept him only one win away from getting right back in contention. At 42, Henderson’s best days should be behind him but he has yet to show any sign of his skills diminishing. In terms of pure talent and potential, Evans should win this fight but I can’t see Suga bringing his A-game to the octagon. The hunger he once had seems to be just a memory now. Against Little Nog he flat-out looked like a man who didn’t think about how to win the fight. That’s a worrying sign and enough for me to tip Henderson to win this one by decision.

The co-main event sees Roy Nelson looking for a fourth straight win. Stipe Miotic lost his last fight to Stefan Struve and is being given a bout against a fighter of similar standing but radically different style to prove himself. That fight of the night effort showed Miotic is willing to stand and trade while also owning a great ground game. Big Country may have a chin made of steel but he doesn’t have the power one expects from a heavyweight. Over three rounds I like Miotic to impress the judges more.

The lone women’s bout on the card sees Alexis Davis, of Port Colborne ON, return to the city where she made her professional debut. Davis takes on Rosi Sexton in bantamweight action. This will pose a tough challenge to Sexton who normally fights at flyweight and who, despite owning a 13-2 record, has a dearth of quality names on her resume compared to Davis. I like the younger Davis to give the Canadian fans something to celebrate.