As first reported by MMAJunkie.com and since confirmed by the UFC, Roy Nelson (19-7) has agreed to step in and face Stipe Miocic (9-1) to round out the six-fight main card of UFC 161.
Nelson returns to the cage after just fighting at UFC159 where he defeated Cheick Kongo via first round knockout. He also replaces former UFC fighter who was to make his comeback at UFC161 Soa Palelei (18-3) who will now serve as a backup in-case any heavyweight drops from the card. Soa confirmed the news yesterday in a tweet:
@afammafan due to The main event pulling out due to an injury the card was shuffled which left me without an opponent check out MMA junkie
— Soa The Hulk Palelei (@soathehulk) May 22, 2013
UFC 161’s main card was thrown for a loop yesterday when UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao withdrew due to injury. This forced the UFC to place Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson in the main event for the fight card.
The current UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson card is below:
Rashad Evans (22-3-1) vs. Dan Henderson (29-9)
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-5) vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua 21-7)
Alexis Davis (11-5) vs. Rosi Sexton (13-2)
Stipe Miocic (9-1) vs. Roy Nelson (19-7)
Pat Barry (8-5) vs. Shawn Jordan (14-4)
Jake Shields (27-6-1, 1NC) vs. Tyron Woodley (11-1)
Roland Delorme (8-1, 1NC) vs. Edwin Figueroa (9-2)
Ryan Jimmo (17-2) vs. Igor Pokrajac (25-9, 1NC)
Sean Pierson (13-6) vs. TJ Waldburger (16-7)
Yves Jabouin (18-8) vs. Dustin Pague (11-8)
Sam Stout (20-8-1) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-3-1)
Mitch Clarke (9-2) vs. John Maguire (18-5)