Like a page ripped straight out of 2012’s injury parade, UFC 161 wound up a card littered with last-second changes. And while two future Hall of Famers, Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson, fought to a tight split decision in night’s main event, it was an unheralded firefighter from Ohio who ultimately stole the show in the eyes of Winnipeg fans.
Originally slated to fight on the night’s undercard, Stipe Miocic took advantage of the UFC’s bad luck, seized his unexpected opportunity, and utterly dominated top-5 heavyweight Roy Nelson en route to the biggest unanimous decision win of his career. That victory, combined with further heavyweight fireworks, the fourth women’s bout in UFC history, and a hotly contested main event, left plenty of MMA goodness to discuss for the slew of pros watching at home.
The judges made the right decision there but the 2nd round was close! Hendo slowed down in round 3, allowed Rashad to take over. #ufc161
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
@SugaRashadEvans Great Job u won Good pressure great pace. Proud of you my friend
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) June 16, 2013
Congrats @SugaRashadEvans …
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) June 16, 2013
1-Dan, 2-Rashad,3-Rashad. 29-28 Rashad. IMO.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) June 16, 2013
WHAT?!??!!?! #ufc161
— Cyrille Diabaté (@CyrilleDiabate) June 16, 2013
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) June 16, 2013
I thought Hendo sneaked it.
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) June 16, 2013
That was a big win for @SugaRashadEvans
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 16, 2013
I think it goes to hendo 29-28 but I’m not sure
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 16, 2013
@SugaRashadEvans congrats champ!!!!!!
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) June 16, 2013
Congratulations @SugaRashadEvans on the Victorty #Blackzilians
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) June 16, 2013
Close main event, could have gone either way, great job by both fighters… #ufc161
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) June 16, 2013
Rashad fought smart. Dan is still my hero!! #161
— Tarec Saffiedine (@tarecfighter) June 16, 2013
Ufc has dumped two Shitty cards on my fellow Canadians in recent past… I apologize for ufc, they don’t understand how amazing the fans are
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) June 16, 2013
I promise UFC 162 is going to be better!
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) June 16, 2013
MIOCIC DOMINATES BIG COUNTRY
This is the Miocic I’ve been waiting for. This performance & win makes him a top heavyweight period! Stipe fulfilling potential = scary 😱
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
Wow @roynelsonmma is one tough dude!
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) June 16, 2013
Great Fight @smiocic , happy for you brother!
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) June 16, 2013
I’m kinda sad @roynelsonmma lost. I was cheering for the dude. #ufc161
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 16, 2013
Roy’s corner says it how it is! #ufc161
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 16, 2013
Hey get your shit together #lifecoach
— isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) June 16, 2013
@roynelsonmma is a G
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) June 16, 2013
Impressive performance from Stipe. He easily takes this decision although its so tiring to punch someone who keeps standing! #ufc161
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 16, 2013
What an amazing fight!!!! Hats off to Roy Nelson’s heart and fighting spirit! #ufc161
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) June 16, 2013
Congrats @smiocic you killed it tonite
— joey beltran (@mexicutioner760) June 16, 2013
Reekis!!!!! Roy Nelson is a warrior!!!!!! You need an extra box of oxygen on your back to finish him.
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) June 16, 2013
Big Country is blocking every punch with his face @ufc 161
— Munah Holland (@munah_holland) June 16, 2013
Good to see a game plan being followed in MMA. Love the evolution
— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) June 16, 2013
This looks like Santa Clause vs. Ivan Drago
— Justin Salas (@justinsalasmma) June 16, 2013
Talking about tough wow Roy Nelson is a fucking bad boy @ufc
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) June 16, 2013
All you experts who said my boy @smiocic stipe Miocic was going to get Ko’d are pretty quiet right now #shhhh strongstyle Mma !!!!
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) June 16, 2013
I want thank all my fans gave 110% will always be back better then last http://t.co/mkvJXBIplU
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) June 16, 2013
The love and support on here is overwhelming. Thank you so much. I will read every single tweet tomorrow but for now…thank you. @ufc
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) June 16, 2013
And thank you @roynelsonmma for a hell of a fight. You are amazing man.
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) June 16, 2013
SLOW GOING
That fight SUCKED!!!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 16, 2013
@RyanJimmo congrats bro!!!!!!!!
— Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) June 16, 2013
While that decision was being announced a big fight broke out in the crowd. Lots of excitement there
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 16, 2013
What no ROBOT? C’mon man #ufc161
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 16, 2013
Bad!
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) June 16, 2013
Really reminiscent of a boxing match, with all the breaks from clinch by lavigne. #ufc161
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) June 16, 2013
Congratulations @RyanJimmo on the Victory!!! #Blackzilians
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) June 16, 2013
Wanted an open fight for a great crowed and UFC @ufc #Ufc161, didnt get it from @RyanJimmo , anyway congrats
— Igor Pokrajac UFC (@igorpokrajac) June 16, 2013
I wonder if I have time to rub one out before the main event. #ufc161
— Justin Buchholz (@jbmma155) June 16, 2013
DAVIS DECISIONS SEXTON
Awesome job by @AlexisDavisMMA and @RosiSexton !!! Way to show toughness and heart!
— Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) June 16, 2013
Great fight by the ladies again. Tough & showcased a lot of heart! Love this division
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) June 16, 2013
Alexis Davis through the softest punches I’ve ever scene in all of Mma male or female in mma at the end of the 2nd round.She coulda finished
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) June 16, 2013
29-28 Alexis Davis
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) June 16, 2013
2 major probs w/ triangle. 1. Hips were waaaay too high. 3. Head was pinned against cage which isolates hips. #ufc161 Exciting rnd tho!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
@AlexisDavisMMA congrats!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) June 16, 2013
@RosiSexton will always have mad love & respect for you! You’ve opened many doors for all of us. Congrats on making your @ufc debut.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) June 16, 2013
Thanks to everyone for all the support. The fans here are awesome. Alexis was a tough opponent and a class act. Felt the decision was fair.
— Rosi Sexton (@RosiSexton) June 16, 2013
JORDAN’S MONSTROUS SHOWING
Congratulations to Jackson’s/Wink fighter Shawn Jordan for scoring that 59 second knockout tonight
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 16, 2013
Jordan went into #beastmode #ufc161
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) June 16, 2013
Damn …. #ufc161 I think Barry is hurt. Cheekbone does not look good. #mma
— Michael Guymon (@JokerGuymon) June 16, 2013
Daaaaaayyuuum. Shawn fuckin Jordan congrats brotha!!!
— Jason Highwalker (@KCBanditMMA) June 16, 2013
#Jordan vs #Barry told’cha!!! What a blitz from @savageshawn !! Nice win!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
Oh Crazy!! Jordan wins on his first flurry! #ufc161
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 16, 2013
Congrats to my boy @savageshawn doing work tonight!! #ATT
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 16, 2013
Wow great backflip!!!! And awesome KO!!! @ufc #ufc161
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) June 16, 2013
Good win for @savageshawn
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 16, 2013
Hell yea..@savageshawn double lead uppercut…berryvis no joke
— Mike Brown (@mikebrownmma) June 16, 2013
Wow did not see that coming! #UFC161
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) June 16, 2013
UNDERCARD CONTROVERSY
Woodley should get that. Congrats bro!! @TWooodley
— Jason Highwalker (@KCBanditMMA) June 16, 2013
Great job by Shields, I think he won… #ufc161
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) June 16, 2013
Guys don’t get me wrong, the Shields fight wasn’t the most exciting but he fought smart IMO…
— Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) June 16, 2013
Based on effectiveness I’d give Woodley rd 3 but have Shields winning 29-28…kind of
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 16, 2013
Oh boy #UFC161
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) June 16, 2013
I know the feeling
— Nah-shon Burrell (@ttherocknrolla) June 16, 2013
Hell yeah @jakeshieldsajj all day ..
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) June 16, 2013
Does anyone think Jake won that fight!?! WTF???
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 16, 2013
Woodley got ROBBED!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 16, 2013
Won rounds 1 & 2 by going forward. No offense from Woodley early “@danawhite: Does anyone think Jake won that fight!?! WTF???”
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
@kennyflorian won round 2 and barely
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 16, 2013
That’s the problem with fights that mostly take place in the clinch. Truly hard to judge “@danawhite: @kennyflorian won round 2 and barely”
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 16, 2013
I wish someone wouldn’t have posted this! @ufc @danawhite #ufc161 I remember getting punched twice! Burt said don’t. pic.twitter.com/gWwzGjnmSQ
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) June 16, 2013