Dan Henderson is a guy who makes you wary of shaking his right hand, just out of respect for the power it conceals.
Dan Henderson is a living example of how it only can take one punch to change a fight. Hendo has been up against some of the top competition in MMA, and at 41 years old, shows no signs of stopping.
Hendo’s “H-Bomb” hands have led him to victory for nearly half of his MMA career. His punching power speaks for itself, but he possesses the strength and background of an Olympic wrestler.
Not one to submit you typically, he will surely control you on the ground until you want to stand up, and then deliver his “Mortal Kombat” finishing move, the H-Bomb.
Now in dealings with the UFC again, the current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion has his eyes fixed on the UFC Light Heavyweight belt as well.
The current UFC Champion: Jon “Bones” Jones.
At UFC 135, Jon Jones will be defending his title for the first time since defeating Shogun Rua last March, and becoming the youngest UFC Champion in history.
Jon Jones will face the always dangerous Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Once these two meet, the title shot opens up for other fighters such as Rashad Evans, and possibly Dan Henderson.
The outcome is yet to been seen, but ideally, when Dan Henderson makes his return into the Octagon, it will be a title shot/unification. But how does Hendo stack up to his two possible opponents?
Betting odds state that Jones will still be Champion at the end of the night against Rampage, but Rampage is hungry for his belt back. A motivated and well-prepared Jackson is a threat to any fighter, and Jones will be sure to use his wrestling and reach to dictate the fight.
If Rampage pulls the upset, he could face Dan Henderson as his first or second title defense. The two have not met since 2007 at UFC 75, where the Pride and UFC belts were on the line in a unification bout. Depending on the events to follow, we may see something similar between the Strikeforce and UFC Belts with the same fighters.
Hendo and Rampage fighting for the championship makes for a very interesting striking match. Hendo may lean toward the takedown and beating up on Rampage, but every fight starts standing. Both are different fighters than their last meeting, but the constant has always been their fists.
If Rampage can stop the takedown, or work on getting up, it could be a challenging fight for Henderson. Rampage is a deadly counter-puncher and if Hendo were to wail one and miss, Rampage could capitalize.
Of course, with Hendo, the fight could end within a few exchanges as well. Hendo has every ability to make Rampage and Bisping have more in common than just training in England together.
His superior wrestling is more than dangerous enough for anyone on the ground, and based on track record, Rampage’s legs are not his greatest foundation. Hendo will be sure to get in and get out with his striking, while the fight remains on the feet.
If Jon Jones can hold onto the LHW belt, a task that has proven very difficult these past years, then a title fight between the new generation of fighter and a seasoned veteran could be on its way.
But first, Jones faces a veteran in Rampage Jackson, who has stood across the cage from the “who’s who” of the Light Heavyweight big-name fighters (multiple times in some cases).
With Dan Henderson, Jones faces a veteran fighter that has donned so many medals and belts in his athletic career, it makes Michael Phelps blush. Hendo is no stranger to the Championship scene, fighting for it and winning it. Jones’ chin has yet to be tested, but if Rampage isn’t the man to do it, Dan Henderson certainly is.
The biggest challenge for any of Jones’ opponents is his reach. His unorthodox style and being a young, fast and hungry fighter makes him a deadly force to be reckoned with. The problem for Jones that lies in Hendo, is his wrestling ability.
A fantastic all-around athlete, Jones has had his share of amateur wrestling. However, Henderson’s pedigree of wrestling is far beyond the repertoire of Jon Jones. Henderson has won wrestling championships right around when Jon was just about learning how to walk.
Regardless if Jones has a good chin, not many can stand up to Hendo’s H-Bomb if it lands flush. Jones must keep the distance, especially for his unorthodox strikes.
Henderson must be the aggressor if he wants to utilize his deadly combo, while Jones needs to keep his cool under the pressure of Hendo’s cocked-back “of the night” fist. The fight should remain more on the feet than on the ground, in which speed can go to Jones, but power goes to Henderson.
At the end of September, fans will have a better idea of what’s in store for the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Whatever the outcome, Dan Henderson is coming. Fans will eagerly speculate and wait to see if Hendo will be either breaking bones or stopping a rampage in the near future.
Who would YOU rather see Dan Henderson face for the title? Jon Jones, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans? Leave your comments and thoughts below!
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