The UFC has added some depth to the UFC 161 lineup after a scheduled main event Renan Barao and Eddie Wineland was cancelled, as the organization announced Roy (Big Country) Nelson will fight Stipe Miocic on the main card of Winnipeg’s first UFC event.
The heavyweight bout, which was first reported by USA Today Sports, will be Nelson’s second in a six-week span and Miocic’s first in nearly nine months.
Nelson (19-7) is coming off a first-round knockout win over Cheick Kongo at UFC 159, while Miocic (9-1) looks to bounce back from his first career loss – a TKO at the hands of Stefan Struve in Fight of the Night performance last September.
Miocic was originally scheduled to face Soa Palelei on the card. Palelei is currently without an opponent and there is no word on whether he will remain on the card.
UFC 161 takes place June 15 at the MTS Centre, home of the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets.
A light-heavyweight bout between former champion Rashad Evans and former Pride champion Dan Henderson was bumped to serve as the card’s main event.
