This is the UFC 161 live blog for Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson, a light heavyweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
Evans, who has won three of his past five fights, will face Henderson, who has won four of his past five fights, in the main event.
Check out the UFC 161 live blog below.
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Round 1: Herb Dean is our referee for this light heavyweight main event. Huge bout for both men. The loser is pretty much out of title contention for good. Touch of gloves and we're off. Henderson pumps his jab. Booming chant of "Hendo! Hendo!" from the Winnipeg crowd. Henderson unloads a beefy uppercut from the clinch. Evans wades in with a looping right. Evans fires off a combination. Evans changes levels. Henderson fights it off but Evans drives his back against the fence. Henderson circles out. Evans ducks under a right hand, ties up, then releases. Stiff jab drops Evans. Henderson follows with another left. Henderson pouring it, hunting for the home run shot. Evans seems to have regained his bearings. Henderson misses a looping right then takes a deep breath. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Henderson.
Round 2: Evans opens with his jab. Evans shoots, nearly completes a power double, then takes Henderson's back. Henderson muscles around but Evans is controlling the action against the fence. Evans disengages then connects with a series of flush right hands. Henderson stalks forward with his right hand cocked. Evans clips Henderson. Looping right hook barely misses for Evans. Henderson shrugs off a trip attempt. Neither fighter willing to commit to anything significant. Just as I say that, Evans charges inside the pocket winging punches. Henderson defends another takedown attempt then circles to the center of the cage. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Evans.
Round 3: Five minutes left to decide this one. Henderson plows forward but misses a series of left hands. Evans finds a home for a looping right hook. Evans smells blood and charges inside with a salvo. Henderson circles out. Evans paws out his jab. Henderson isn't able to mount any offense right now. Evans changes levels for a double, but Henderson defends successfully. Evans bulls Henderson against the fence. Big combination by Evans. We're back in the center of the Octagon. Evans lands another jab. Evans ties back up and works short punches against the cage. Henderson blasts Evans with a short elbow. Evans still controlling the position. Henderson ducks outside and misses wildly with a looping hook. Evans finishes us off with a jab to the jaw. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, and the fight 29-28, Evans.
UFC 161 results: Rashad Evans def. Dan Henderson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)