UFC 161: Info and Predictions for Evans vs. Henderson

Just as the average high temperature in Winnipeg climbs out of the single digits, this has to go and happen.

UFC 161, taking place in Manitoba's capital city, could have been a contender. Then interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao got injured, submarining his title tilt with Eddie Wineland. And then Antonio Rogerio Nogueira got injured, 86ing that bout with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. 

Now we're left with a main event between flagging light heavyweights Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans. And I'm not going to lie to you: That one could be a dullard.

But cheer up, UFC junkies. Take heart. There's excitement to be found on every UFC card. And that includes UFC 161. I'm almost sure of it.

For evidence, look no further than this slideshow that I have prepared for you. What follows are information capsules and predictions for every fight, including information on when and how to watch, and which fights might actually be worth watching.

Yves Jabouin vs. Dustin Pague

Division: Bantamweight
See it on: Facebook (7 p.m.: All times ET) 

It's a pattern. "The Other Yves" in the UFC gets himself a nice head of steam, but then metaphorically gasses out. Most recently, he was rewarded for his three-fight win streak with a fight against Brad Pickett and lost by first-round knockout.

So back down he tumbles, and he stops at Dustin Pague. Jabouin is comfortable in this end of the pool, though, and I believe Pague is going to lose his third straight Saturday night and summarily receive his UFC walking papers.

Prediction: Jabouin, TKO, Round 1

Mitch Clarke vs. John Maguire

Division: Lightweight
See it on: Facebook (7 p.m.) 

British brown belt John Maguire knows how to submit a man. But Mitch Clarke is a bit more well-rounded, and I think he may be poised for an upset. 

Ha! Just kidding.

Prediction: Maguire, Unanimous Decision

Roland Delorme vs. Edwin Figueroa

Division: Bantamweight
See it on: FX (8 p.m.) 

Roland Delorme dodged a bullet when Francisco Rivera set that urinal on fire. As a result, he's undefeated in the UFC since losing in The Ultimate Fighter finale. 

I like Delorme's stuff, though. And I think he'll defeat a relatively inconsistent fighter in Edwin Figueroa.

Prediction: Delorme, Unanimous Decision

Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson

Division: Welterweight
See it on: FX (8 p.m.) 

After T.J. Waldburger got injured, Sean Pierson replaced him. So now it's Sean Pierson against Kenny Robertson. Good story, bruh.

I want to say Robertson pulls the upset, but he's susceptible to bangers, and Pierson is a banger.

Prediction: Pierson, TKO, Round 2

Sam Stout vs. James Krause

Division: Lightweight
See it on: FX (8 p.m.) 

It's easy to call a Sam Stout knockout here, but that would mean sleeping on James Krause. It would mean sleeping on a man with a seven-fight win streak to his name, the multi-time bridesmaid who hasn't lost in two years. It would mean sleeping on a man who hails from Newport News, Va., which is the next town over from my hometown. 

With all that said, yeah, Stout by knockout here.

Prediction: Stout, KO, Round 2

Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley

Division: Welterweight
See it on: FX (8 p.m.)

A big Tyron Woodley knockout in his UFC debut seems to have established a false sense of security. Yes, he has power, but Woodley, at heart, is a grappler. And you know what? Jake Shields is an even better grappler.

Prediction: Shields, Split Decision

Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan

Division: Heavyweight
See it on: Pay-per-view (10 p.m.)

Two big-fisted, mailbox-looking heavyweights are going to bang up against each other in this first pay-per-view bout. The heart says Barry here and his excellent kickboxing, but here's guessing Jordan clinches up, slows it down and gets the win.

Prediction: Shawn Jordan, Unanimous Decision

Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton

Division: Women's bantamweight
See it on: Pay-per-view (10 p.m.)

Alexis Davis is going to win this fight, and that's it. She has terrific grappling and will simply be too much for Rosi Sexton. More interesting conversations will occur in the context of more interesting fights. 

Prediction: Davis, Submission, Round 2

Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac

Division: Light heavyweight
See it on: Pay-per-view (10 p.m.)

Ryan Jimmo's career arch has flattened out a bit after that record-tying knockout in his UFC debut. Now he's fighting Igor Pokrajac, who I think is an underrated fighter. 

It's Jimmo's punching against Pokrajac's well-roundedness and grappling. It's a tough call. But I think Jimmo will get the drop on the chinny Croatian.

Prediction: Jimmo, TKO, Round 3 

Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic

Division: Heavyweight
See it on: Pay-per-view (10 p.m.)

Name an active fighter who hits harder than Roy Nelson. I know, I know. You can't do it! That's because that person doesn't exist. 

Don't forget about the grappling, either. Miocic will probably try to box with Nelson, but has to know in the back of his head that he can probably be taken down and outwrestled at will, if Nelson so desires. However, I don't think it will come to that. 

Prediction: Nelson, KO, Round 1 

Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans

Division: Light heavyweight
See it on: Pay-per-view (10 p.m.)

This is not a very good main event. Not only does it feature two guys who aren't in any sort of title discussion of any kind, it also features two guys who like to take it really easy in there. Sure, they could knock somebody out. But why? Why do that when you can exercise the option of taking it easy?

I've been told I have to pick a winner. Fine. I'll pick Dan Henderson, but I'm only doing that because Rashad Evans has been deeply unimpressive recently.

Prediction: Henderson, Unanimous Decision

Follow Scott Harris @ScottHarrisMMA.