UFC: Rashad Evans defeats Dan Henderson via split decision

UFC 161 was a close as a fight can get, but Rashad Evans pulled out all the stops in the third round of the main event to score a split decision victory over the legendary Dan “Hendo” Henderson, Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) at the MTS Centre in Wnnipeg, Canada.

After getting dropped by a jab in the very first round, Evans used a smart mix of fast combinations, takedown attempts, and dirty boxing to win the last two rounds of the light heavyweight fight.

"After getting dropped in the first round, I knew I got the second and I knew I needed the third,” Evans said.

Evans was close to losing the fight as Henderson went in for the kill after scoring a knockdown with a left jab.

"I thought the referee kicked me or something,” Evans said. “I didn’t know what hit me.”

The handspeed of Evans was very noticeable in the first two minutes of the fight. Evans would come in and out, throwing punches while Henderson tried to counter by loading up on his overhand rights.

Evans twice tried to get takedowns but Henderson was able to stop him from doing so.

Henderson landed a big jab that floored Evans with less than two minutes remaining in the fight but Evans managed to get back quickly to his feet. Henderson tried to go in for the finish but none of his punches landed.

"He's got no chin," said Henderson's corner.

"Go in for the takedown," was what Evans' corner told him.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion did exactly what his corner wanted as he scored on a takedown in the opening minute of the second round.

Evans landed a strong right but Henderson countered with a knee halfway into the round. The former then went in for a second takedown, but Henderson literally threw his opponent off his body.

A short elbow from Henderson then opened a small cut on the right brow of Evans as the second round came to a close.

"We need to finish this round strong," Evans' corner said. "He's tired. His mouth is open."

Evans exploded at the start of the first round as he floored Henderson with a flurry of punches. Henderson tried to set up his big right but he failed to connect in the round. Evans forced a clinch where he dominated with his dirty boxing.

Henderson was able to sneak in a couple of short elbows but Evans had better results with his punches.

In the end, Henderson still scored more strikes as he connected with 49, compared to 47 for Evans. However, Henderson scored most of those in the first round

“Well, there's nobody to blame but myself. I slowed down in the third round. He didn't hurt me at all. I felt I had the first two rounds in the bag,” Henderson said. “Rashad is a tough guy. He stood there. He fought me.”

In the supporting main event, Stipe Miocic scored the biggest win of his career with a unanimous decision verdict over Roy Nelson. Miocic used pinpoint punching to frustrate the slower Nelson who carelessly lunged for power shots.

Nelson, who looked gassed as the fight progressed, failed to win a single round in the scorecards. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Miocic. - AMD, GMA News