UFC 204: Dan Henderson has Nothing to Lose in Main Event
Dan Henderson has a chance to complete his trophy case at UFC 204, but win or lose, he ends his career as one of the most decorated fighters in MMA history.
Dan Henderson received a hero’s ovation at UFC 199 when he knocked out Hector Lombard in front of The Forum in Los Angeles. Unranked and coming off a loss going into the final fight of his UFC contract, it appeared like a Hollywood ending for the MMA legend.
Instead, he prepares for one more battle in the Octagon against rival Michael Bisping, against whom he recorded his most memorable victory: A knockout at UFC 100 which continues to be played in highlight reels everywhere despite occurring seven years ago.
Henderson’s career includes knockouts over names like Wanderlei Silva and Fedor Emelianenko, but it’s the victory over Bisping that continues to be brought up. Henderson himself has taken the silhouette of the infamous follow-up shot and continues to use it as a logo on gear and apparel.
It’s the reason the UFC has put together the bout in Bisping’s home country of England. It’s why Henderson received a title shot after going 3-6 in his last nine fights over names like Jacare Souza and Yoel Romero. Henderson is virtually the last of an old guard still competing in the UFC, and his appeal to the fan base continues to bring in numbers as a headliner despite being in the final leg of his career.
Henderson will finish his career as being one of the few fighters to hold titles in two different weight classes at once in a major promotion. He held the Pride welterweight and middleweight world titles (185 lbs and 205 lbs respectively.) He also finished as the reigning Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion prior to the promotion being absorbed by the UFC.
“Hendo” also holds the distinction of having represented the United States in the Olympics for Greco-Roman wrestling and is one of only four men to have defeated Fedor Emelianenko. Win or lose on Saturday, he goes down as one of the most successful fighters to have ever competed in mixed martial arts.
While The Forum was quick to give him a standing ovation, he is unlikely to receive the same treatment in Manchester. Michael Bisping is the first English fighter to ever hold a UFC title and has been the face of the sport in the UK for many years. While Henderson has competed in Brazil against the likes of Vitor Belfort, the atmosphere for Bisping is expected to be on another level.
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That said, there is no love lost between the two going into the bout once again. Trash talk between the two goes back to The Ultimate Fighter: USA vs UK which culminated in the bout at UFC 100. Despite having clearly knocked out Bisping with the right hand that connected in the second round, he followed up with a vicious shot on the ground that was unnecessary.
Following the bout, he claimed that it was done out of instinct rather than a desire for unsportsmanlike conduct, however he did also claim it was satisfying after all the words that had been exchanged.
Bisping has vowed revenge. At 46-years-old, Henderson faces the uphill battle of having to catch the more active and conditioned Englishman. As he proved in his bout with Lombard, however, he still carries the power to change the outlook of a fight with a single shot. That is the element that makes his final fight so intriguing.
Henderson has earned a title shot in part because of his entire body of work in his career, and it is so vast that he walks away from competition as a champion regardless of the outcome on Saturday night.
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