Renan Barão Photo: UFC

On Wednesday afternoon, April 10, a press conference promoted the start of ticket sales of UFC 161, which will be held on June 15, in Winnipeg, Canada.

With the presence of Renan Barão, current holder of the interim bantamweight title, and his opponent, Eddie Wineland, the UFC champ spoke about the event, the city selection and fights for this card. The Brazilian hasn’t escaped being asked about Dominick Cruz, but focused on his next opponent.

“I want the fight against Dominick Cruz to happen,” he said. “It will be a big challenge, but I’m focused on Wineland. UFC has done well choosing Eddie to challenge for this belt. He’s a tough guy, and now he is my goal.”

Showing how, as a great champion, he values Jiu-Jitsu within the Octagon, Barão said his day always starts with the gentle art.

“I wake up really early and start the training with Jiu-Jitsu,” he explained. “It’s something that I don’t give up. Then I go to boxing, Muay Thai, but the first preparation of my day is Jiu-Jitsu.”

Alexis Davis also attended the conference in Winnipeg. Her opponent, Rosi Sexton, couldn’t be present. This will be the first UFC women fight in Canada. The homegrown fighter was asked about the case of transsexual Fallon Fox, who was allowed to compete against women. Davis replied, but dodged.

“I must not talk about it,” she said. “I would face her. I train with men every day, but I can’t say when the body changes. It’s a difficult question to answer”.

Here’s the video of the press conference:

At UFC 161, Barão makes his second title defense and can become the category’s definitive champion if Cruz takes much longer to return to action.

Also scheduled for the event is a great rematch between former PRIDE fighters, Rogério Nogueira and Shogun Rua.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 12, through Ticketmaster.

See the card below:

UFC 161
Winnipeg, Canada
June 15, 2013

Renan Barão vs Eddie Wineland
Alexis Davis vs Rosi Sexton
Rashad Evans vs Dan Henderson
Rogério Minotouro vs Maurício Shogun
Jake Shields vs Tyron Woodley
Stipe Miocic vs Soa Palelei
Pat Barry vs Shawn Jordan
Sam Stout vs Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Sean Pierson vs TJ Waldburger
Ryan Jimmo vs Igor Pokrajac
Mitch Clarke vs John Maguire
Roland Delorme vs Edwin Figueroa
Dustin Pague vs Yves Jabouin

UFC on Versus 5 featured plenty of ground action not just in the four matches ending in submissions but practically throughout the entire card. Frenetic bouts, even without any true marquee names – it was one of the best installments from the promotion this season.

In the evening’s main event, Chris Lytle showed just why he’s been the beneficiary of fight of the night bonuses five times. Boxing defined the fight throughout. Lytle had the advantage, but Dan Hardy had his moments as well. In the third round Hardy tried to mount a comeback, but Lytle responded with a snug guillotine, coaxing the Englishman to tap out.

The only thing missing from the showdown between Ben Henderson and Jim Miller was a fireworks show. While Ben landed solid takedowns and put in a fine display of standup, Miller presented real danger with his submission attempts, even pressuring his opponent’s knee. But Henderson slipped out of the holds and brought on an aggressive barrage of ground and pound. The final round saw him achieve back mount, nearly making it to full mount. A well-deserved win for the Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, who put a stop on Miller’s seven-fight win streak.

Donald Cerrone showed just why he was favored to win going into his fight with Charles do Bronx. Cerrone shrugged off takedown attempts and was effective in the standup department. One of Cerrone’s strikes found its mark and sent Charles to the ground, where he tried pulling guard but was met with a barrage of strikes that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to step in and end the action.

In the undercard, Brazil’s Ronny Markes, making his promotional debut, took a well deserved win with a solid display of positional Jiu-Jitsu. Ronny held his own with Karlos Vemola in the standup action and made good use of takedowns throughout the three rounds. On the ground, it was all the Brazilian, who controlled his opponent through positional superiority, earning him the unanimous decision win after three rounds.

Jimmy Hettes and Alex Caceres had an eye-pleasing bout, featuring lively ground-fighting action. After plenty of back-and-forth action, Hettes ended the spectacle with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Cole Miller and TJ O’Brien had an exciting second round. Miller got the better of the action, though, when he sung a snug guillotine in the second. Ed Herman came up with a submission win of his own, taking out Kyle Noke with a heel hook while still in the first round.

Chris Lytle defeated Dan Hardy via guillotine at 4:16 min of R3
Ben Henderson defeated Jim Miller via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone defeated Charles Oliveira via TKO at 3:01 min of R1
Duane Ludwig defeated Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision
Jared Hamman defeated C.B. Dollaway via TKO at 3:38 min of R2
Joseph Benavidez defeated Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision
Ed Herman submitted Kyle Noke via heelhook at 4:15 min of R1
Ronny Markes defeated Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision
Jimy Hettes submitted Alex Caceres via rear-naked choke at 3:12 min of R2
Cole Miller submitted TJ O’Brien via guilltine at 2:38 min of R2
Jacob Volkmann defeated Danny Castillo via unanimous decision
Edwin Figueroa defeated Jason Reinhardt via TKO at 0.50 min of R2

O UFC on Versus 5 contou com muita luta no chão, não apenas nas quatro finalizações da noite, mas em praticamente todos os desafios. Confrontos frenéticos, mesmo sem um card estelar, foi uma das melhores edições da temporada.

Na principal luta da noite, Chris Lytle mostrou por que já recebera cinco vezes o prêmio de melhor luta. Quase até o fim prevaleceu o boxe. Lytle levava vantagem, mas Dan Hardy também conseguiu bons lances. No terceiro assalto, Hardy tentou reagir, mas Lytle respondeu com uma justa guilhotina e botou o inglês para bater.

No combate entre Ben Henderson e Jim Miller só faltou sair faísca. Enquanto Ben conseguia aplicar boas quedas e ia bem na trocação, Jim era perigoso nas tentativas de finalização, chegou a esticar o joelho do oponente. Mas Henderson escapou dos golpes e foi mais agressivo no ground and pound. No assalto final, pegou as costas, quase finalizou e montou. Vitória merecida para o faixa-marrom de Jiu-Jitsu, que interrompeu uma série de sete triunfos de Miller.

Donald Cerrone mostrou por que era considerado favorito na luta contra Charles do Bronx. O lutador evitou as quedas e foi mais efetivo na trocação. Charles sentiu o golpe e puxou para a guarda, mas o Cowboy percebeu o momento e continuou a socar. Não restou opção ao árbitro Mario Yamasaki a não ser interromper.

No card preliminar, vitória do estreante Ronny Markes e muito Jiu-Jitsu. Ronny foi bem na trocação contra karlos Vemola e usou bem as quedas nas três parciais. Ao chão, chegou à posições de superioridade e controlou o oponente. Após os três rounds, decisão unânime a favor do brasileiro.

Jimy Hettes e Alex Caceres fizeram um combate agradável de se ver, muito movimentado e com técnica no solo. Depois de muitas reviravoltas, se deu bem Hettes, com um mata-leão na segunda parcial. Cole Miller e TJ O’Brien fizeram um segundo round emocionante. Melhor para Miller, que definiu com uma justa guilhotina, no segundo assalto. Ed Herman também finalizou. A vítima foi Kyle Noke, ainda na primeira parcial, com uma chave de calcanhar.

Confira todos os resultados:

Chris Lytle finalizou Dan Hardy com uma guilhotina aos 4min16s do r3
Ben Henderson venceu Jim Miller por decisão unânime
Donald Cerrone venceu Charles Oliveira por TKO aos 3min1s do R1
Duane Ludwig venceu Amir Sadollah por decisão unânime
Jared Hamman venceu C.B. Dollaway por TKO aos 3min38s do R2
Joseph Benavidez venceu Eddie Wineland por decisão unânime
Ed Herman finalizou Kyle Noke com uma chave de calcanhar aos 4min15s do R1
Ronny Markes venceu Karlos Vemola na decisão unânime dos juízes
Jimy Hettes finalizou Alex Caceres com um mata-leão a 3min12s do R2
Cole Miller finalizou TJ O’Brien com uma guilhotina aos 2min38s do R2
Jacob Volkmann venceu Danny Castillo por decisão unânime
Edwin Figueroa venceu Jason Reinhardt por TKO aos 50s do R2