UFC 161 official for June 15 in Winnipeg; tickets on sale April 12

As expected the UFC will makes its debut in the Canadian province of Manitoba when the organization heads to Winnipeg’s MTS Centre for UFC 161 on June 15.

UFC Director of Operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand Tom Wright today confirmed the event, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported this morning, at a press conference in the host city.

Only one fight is set for the pay-per-view main card: a rematch between Brazilian veterans Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (21-7 MMA, 5-5 UFC) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC).

As MMAjunkie.com reported, former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (17-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) could face ex-PRIDE and Strikeforce titleholder Dan Henderson (29-9 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at the event, though UFC President Dana White said Henderson will first need medical clearance.

Wright said the company is still working on a headliner. Evans vs. Henderson could fill the slot, but sources to the event told MMAjunkie.com a title fight is still a possibility.

Other bouts will be announced in the coming weeks, according to Wright. Some Canadian fighters are expected to be booked.

UFC 161 tickets go on sale to the general public on April 12. However, UFC Fight Club members can purchase tickets on April 10, and UFC.com e-newsletter subscribers can buy their seats on April 11. Ticket prices weren’t revealed.

Wright said Winnipeg, which becomes the fifth different Canadian city to host a UFC show, should see at least a $10 million boost to the economy because of the event. He said the show initially was planned for August but was bumped up to June because of some schedule changes.

For the latest on UFC 161, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua)