As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported, UFC interim champ Renan Barao is injured and out of next month’s UFC 161 event. With little time to find a suitable replacement, the night’s co-feature between Rashad Evans (17-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) and Dan Henderson (29-9 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has been promoted to headlining status.

UFC officials today made the change. Evans vs. Henderson remains a three-round bout.

UFC 161 takes place June 15 at MTS Centre in the Canadian city of Winnipeg. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Evans, who had won four straight fights after losing his title to Lyoto Machida in 2009, looks to end a two-fight losing streak after dropping back-to-back decisions to current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

The 33-year-old had flirted with the idea of a potential move down to middleweight in recent months but instead will face Henderson, who dropped a close split decision to Lyoto Machida this past month at UFC 157. The loss, which snapped a four-fight win streak and came after a 15-month injury layoff, likely cost the 42-year-old a title shot.

Barao looked to defend his interim title for a second time as champion Dominick Cruz recovers from a knee injury. Barao, who’s won 30 straight fights (and five straight in the UFC), defended his interim belt for the first in February with a submission win over Michael McDonald.

His original opponent, Eddie Wineland, a former WEC champion, recently fought his way back into title contention with back-to-back wins over veterans Scott Jorgensen and Brad Pickett. Wineland’s next move has yet to be announced.

With the loss of the Barao vs. Wineland contest, the UFC 161 main card has room for one more fight. It’s currently unknown if UFC officials will secure a new opponent for Wineland or promote another contest from the evening’s preliminary card.

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

(Pictured: Rashad Evans)