Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans got back in the winner’s column by defeating MMA legend Dan Henderson via split-decision at UFC 161 on Saturday night. In front of a sold-out crowd at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the former Ultimate Fighter Season 2 winner battled the 42-year-old veteran in a three-round contest that saw Evans snap a back-to-back losing streak (the first of his nearly decade-long career). After his losses to Jon Jones and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, at UFC 145 and UFC 156 respectively, Evans’ career was in a tailspin. With his win over Henderson, he once again finds himself on the path gold, albeit with some reservations about his performance against the future Hall-of-Famer. Coming off of two losses, it takes a little bit of a hit on your confidence,” said a contrite Evans at the UFC 161 post-fight press conference. “Trying to work back mentally to get your game where you want to, get your timing down, believing in your shot, believing in your punches, stuff like that, this wasn’t my best performance by far, but it’s something to start from.” UFC president Dana White mirrored Evans’ sentiments, as he spoke about the importance of the fight. “(It) was a good night for Rashad because Rashad needed to get his head back in the game physically, mentally, emotionally, everything,” said White. “Obviously he looked good physically. He’s in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in. (He) came out and fought a tough guy in Dan Henderson.
BAD MMA Trending Cloud
UFC • Bellator • Conor Mcgregor • PFL • Jon Jones • Daniel Cormier • Dustin Poirier • Khabib Nurmagomedov • Dana White • Francis Ngannou • Jorge Masvidal • Nate Diaz • Anderson Silva • WSOF • Max Holloway • Ronda Rousey • Alex Pereira • Amanda Nunes • Michael Bisping • Donald Cerrone • Michael Chandler • Kamaru Usman • Tony Ferguson • islam makhachev • Alexander Volkanovski • Henry Cejudo • Jake Paul • Demetrious Johnson • Charles Oliveira • Jose Aldo • One Championship • Aljamain Sterling • sean o'malley • Derrick Lewis • Stipe Miocic • sean strickland • Tyron Woodley • Georges St Pierre • Robert Whittaker • Holly Holm
- MMA News (114400)
- UFC on ESPN 65: Make your predictions for Josh Emmett vs. Lerone Murphy
- MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Month for March: Mauricio Ruffy crowns King Green with all-time spinning kick
- The Thrill and Agony: UFC on ESPN 64 winner and loser social media reactions
- UFC on ESPN 64 winner MarQuel Mederos says ‘f*ck it’ and calls out lightweight veteran
- Jorge Masvidal names UFC legend as opponent he most feared
- Jamall Emmers didn’t plan to do anything except snipe at UFC Mexico, wants Melquizael Costa next
- Patricio Freire picks Paddy Pimblett to beat ex-rival Michael Chandler at UFC 314
- MMA Junkie Radio #3553: Dan Hardy previews PFL 2025, UFC Mexico, Velasquez sentence
- Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL fights announced in the past week (March 24-30)
- 2025 PFL 1: Make your predictions for Jason Jackson vs. Andrey Koreshkov