Rashad Evans (right) grapples with Dan Henderson during their light heavyweight bout at UFC 161 at MTS Centre.(Photo Tom Szczerbowski USA TODAY Sports)
WINNIPEG Saturday night's UFC 161 headliner proved a tense evenly matched clash of veteran fighters.
However in what proved to be a deciding third round Rashad Evans (18 3 1 MMA 13 3 1 UFC) took the striking edge and ultimately edged fellow ex champion Dan Henderson (29 10 MMA 6 4 UFC) via split decision.
The decision which easily could have gone either way seemingly caught Evans by surprise when the 28 29 29 28 and 29 28 scores were read. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of knowing he won a round when he truly needed it.
After getting dropped in the first round I knew I won the second but I needed to come out strong in the third said Evans who entered the fight while coming off the first back to back losses of his career.
Despite Evans' win Henderson landed the first substantial blow of the fight. After an initial feeling out process and the occasional firefight Henderson caught his opponent with a stiff jab just as Evans was moving in. Evans hit the deck and ate some follow up punches but he quickly returned to his feet and shook off the cobwebs before the round ended.
Evans returned the favor in the second round with a powerful right hand but Henderson answered with a solid knee that forced both fighters to reset. Evans clearly the quicker fighter remained the aggressor in the round but with solid takedown defense and quick footwork Henderson proved game for a late round exchange of punches and elbows.
As a close contest entered the final frame Evans knew he needed the final round. He quickly buckled Henderson with a quick flurry of blows but wisely reset once the veteran regained his wits.
PHOTOS Top shots from UFC 161 Evans vs. Henderson
Last SlideNext SlideOne thing you know about Dan Henderson is you don't rush in said Evans whose brief UFC title reign ended in 2009. Only fools rush in with Dan Henderson. When he's hurt he can still hurt you with a good shot.
In the final minutes of the bout Evans clinched and pressed Henderson against the cage where he absorbed some knees. However Evans dished out some heavy leather and elbows to close out the bout in convincing fashion.
Henderson a former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion who's yet to win a UFC belt during his illustrious career knew the final exchanges probably did him in.
There's nobody to blame but myself he said. That third round I slowed down. I should have gotten more active. I thought I hurt him bad in the first and second rounds so I thought I got those.
With the win Evans keeps his title hopes alive. However at 42 years old and with a two fight losing skid Henderson knows his prospects for a shot at Jon Jones' title are dim.
Complete UFC 161 results include
Rashad Evans def. Dan Henderson via split decision (29 28 28 29 29 28) bStipe Miocic def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30 27 30 27 30 27) Ryan Jimmo def. Igor Pokrajac via unanimous decision (30 27 30 27 30 27) Alexis Davis def. Rosi Sexton by unanimous decision (29 28 29 27 29 28) Shawn Jordan def. Pat Barry via TKO (punches) Round 1 0 59 Jake Shields def. Tyron Woodley via split decision (27 30 29 28 29 28) James Krause def. Sam Stout via submission (guillotine choke) Round 3 4 47 Sean Pierson def. Kenny Robertson via majority decision (29 28 29 28 28 28) Roland Delorme def. Edwin Figueroa via unanimous decision (29 28 29 28 29 28) Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire via unanimous decision (29 28 29 28 29 28) Yves Jabouin def. Dustin Pague via split decision (29 28 28 29 29 28)
Dann Stupp writes for MMAJunkie.com a property of USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Matt Erickson and Ben Fowlkes contributed to this report on site in Winnipeg.
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