(What has two thumbs, false teeth and a guaranteed title shot? This guy!)
After months of contradictory and unclear statements from Dan Henderson and UFC President Dana White, fans are now being told with certainty that Hendo’s next fight will be for a belt. Being the stone-cold pimp that he is, Henderson can fight in multiple divisions, and his next fight will take place at either middleweight or light-heavyweight. In a new interview with Heavy.com’s Megan Olivi, White had the following to say regarding the future of the winner of da greatest MMA fight ever:
“Dan Henderson will get the winner of that fight or the winner of the Anderson Silva [vs. Chael Sonnen] fight. Dan Henderson just wants a title shot. There’s been a lot of talk about the stuff that I said. Here’s the thing: I offered Dan Henderson two fights. Dan Henderson wants this fight. Normally I don’t do that. Guys don’t sit around and pick their fights. There’s been very specific cases where that’s happened and it’s guys who have earned it or deserve it, and Dan Henderson is one of those guys. Listen, if Dan Henderson, Henderson has been around forever. He’s forty-something years old, he’s been knocking guys out left and right. If he wants to sit around and wait for this title shot, he can do it.”
Pretty cool that White is respecting Henderson’s accomplishments so much that he’s continuing to move past their prior contract-dispute beef. Henderson is always outspoken and has basically called White a bullshitter in the past year more than we can even keep track, but I guess he’s earned that type of independence.
Of course, White’s generosity isn’t all based on altruism. He knows that Henderson poses a legit threat to anyone with his wrestling and punching power, and brings a balls-to-the-wall aggressive style that always entertains the fans.
Check out Olivi’s full video interview with White below:
Which title would you rather see Henderson go after, and why? And which does he have a better shot at winning?