With Antonio Rogerio Nogueira bowing out of the co-main event being only the latest loss to the show, the UFC 161: Henderson vs. Evans event is lacking in true intrigue for casual fans. A last-ditch effort to add Chael Sonnen could do some good in keeping the show respectable, but it is likely not enough.
If Sonnen officially comes to the rescue to take on Mauricio Rua in the co-main event, it might marginally assist in the sales totals, but not enough. So far, the fight has not been made official, with Sonnen issuing a challenge via his Twitter account, according to BloodyElbow.com.
Sonnen would add much-needed name recognition to the co-main event; however, he and Rua have a combined 2-4 record in their last six bouts. That record will dictate the way the two come into the fight. Both will be interested in not losing, rather than making a brutal statement.
What is more, Sonnen will undoubtedly want the fight on the ground, and unless Shogun has rededicated himself to amazing takedown defense, a three-round struggle underneath the Oregonian is most likely the outcome of the bout.
The headliner itself has a large question mark over it, which may turn away would-be buyers. Both Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans are inconsistently exciting. Henderson is capable of being one of the most exciting fighters in the sport. At the same time, his most recent fight with Lyoto Machida brought back memories of the ‘Decision Dan’ all Pride FC fans can recall vividly.
A five-round fight could mean Henderson opts to circle for 25 minutes with his right hand cocked, while defending takedowns.
Evans has already said he is not interested in a stand-up war with Hendo, according to MMAMania.com. A takedown-heavy effort could be the likely outcome of the main event. It is possible that if the two do not engage in a striking war, the fight will gather a torrent of boos by the ending bell.
Beyond the main events, the card holds interesting matchups for the most dedicated fans, while providing almost nothing to spur casual fans into shelling out hard-earned cash.
Roy Nelson is prepared to prove he deserves consideration in the heavyweight division as he looks for a fourth-straight win. Unfortunately for Nelson, Stipe Miocic only provides a chance to prove he can win two fights in short order. Miocic, as good as he is, is not considered an elite fighter by most.
The Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan bout would usually be considered a surefire barnburner, except that Barry has been keen on proving he has a new-found ground game, while Jordan will be looking to simply not lose.
Finally, while the women of the UFC consistently prove that they can put on the most exciting fights on each card, casual fans simply have not shown interest. A strong showing in the Sexton vs. Davis bout will only serve as a pleasant surprise. However, the pairing will not add pay-per-view buys.
All told, the card simply has lost its worth as a must-see showcase, and the pay-per-view buys will likely reflect that fact. The UFC can only hope the late addition of Sonnen can trick some fans into assuming the card is worth the price of viewing.
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