The first time Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua met, it was a true, instant, all-time classic.
That was 2011. Ever since, people have been excited for a rematch of the close, back-and-forth contest.
It finally arrives in the main event of UFC Fight Night 38, which goes down Sunday from Natal, Brazil.
The UFC knows people are excited, which is why this rematch is the main event. But the promotion is also hoping the glare from this rematch is so bright that you don’t notice the rest of the card.
Because, let me be honest here, the rest of the card is not very good. It’s pretty bad, actually. I say that not out of meanness but in the spirit of truth-telling that I swore to uphold on the day I graduated from journalism school.
Not really. There wasn’t any oath. I’m still telling the truth, though.
And hey, I’m not saying don’t watch it. Go ahead, watch it. MMA is always awesome, no matter what. In fact, here’s a primer to get you started. I report, you decide, and so forth. What follows are information capsules, predictions and viewing coordinates for every fight on the slate.