Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort will not be able to blame a poor performance in the main event at UFC Fight Night 32 on anything but themselves.
According to MMAjunkie.com, both headliners were issued therapeutic-use exemptions for TRT coming in to the bout. So any arguments revolving around this often-criticized therapy are laid to rest before the fighters step into the Octagon.
Each man has made headlines in the past for his TRT use, with Belfort saying that he would stop receiving TRT for a shot at a UFC title.
Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for Henderson), the main event at UFC Fight Night 32 is a non-title fight, and Belfort will enter the bout in full force.
The same is true for Henderson, however, who recently said that he has “never abused” TRT, but he will enjoy its benefits inside the Octagon with Belfort Saturday.
The two have previously fought in 2006 at Pride 32. There, Henderson took home a unanimous decision, but both men have shown improvements and evolution in their games since that time.
With four finishes in his last five fights, including a vicious spinning back kick against Luke Rockhold in his latest trip to the cage, Belfort looks as dangerous as ever, and Henderson acknowledged these improvements during his interview with FightHub TV:
I think both of us have definitely improved and evolved as fighters. He definitely has some of the same tendencies and openings that he used to have, that I felt. But again, he’s become more patient, and he moves better on his feet…It will make for a more interesting fight.
Henderson enters the fight in a must-win situation. The former UFC title contender at both light heavyweight and middleweight has dropped his last two fights, and a third straight loss may spell the end of his career inside the Octagon.
Belfort, meanwhile, has pieced together two consecutive knockout victories, and a third will likely land him a title shot or, at the very least, a No. 1 contender fight in the middleweight division.
Who do you think takes this rematch of MMA legends?
I like Belfort‘s chances. He has looked outstanding of late, and Henderson appears to be slowing with age. I don’t see where Henderson gives Belfort any problems (aside from his patented H-bomb), and I expect Belfort to become the first man to knock out Hendo in professional action.
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