Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson is living a little bit better these days.
Though the Team Quest fighter has recorded many of his career victories in the middleweight class, Henderson is now enjoying himself in the 205-pound class.
During his tenure with the San Jose based promotion, Henderson went 3-1 with the organization and is currently riding a three-fight win streak, with his latest victory coming at the expense of former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko this past July, who suffered a first-round TKO loss to Hendo.
With his recent accolades, Henderson had an excellent bargaining chip as a free agent, however, has since re-signed with his former employers in the UFC.
Henderson will waste little time in returning to action as he meets the familiar Mauricio “Shogun” Rua on November 19. The two former PRIDE stalwarts will meet as the main event for UFC 139, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
The mixed martial arts icon isn’t disillusioned by any means. He knows he has a tough fight ahead of him, though he holds little back when it comes in comparison. Henderson, a former two-time Olympian, finds that he has a decided advantage over the Brazilian in nearly all facets of the game.
“Shogun’s a tough fighter, he’s been around a long time,” said Henderson, who spoke with ProMMANow.com.
“He’s been in there with some of the top guys and [has] done well. He’s well-rounded, throwing some nice knees and nice kicks, [and] he’s got some power in his punches.”
Perhaps to his advantage, the two light heavyweights will compete in a non-title, five-round affair. Conditioning has long been an issue that has plagued Rua, with battles against Forrest Griffin and Jon Jones in the past resulting in defeat due to his poor level of stamina.
Henderson, though, has always been a well-conditioned athlete—that is as long as the Californian, who recently turned 41, does not not have to cut an obscene amount of weight. Henderson regularly walks around just a few pounds shy of the 205-pound limit.
“I think I’m better in every aspect and should definitely do well in that fight. It’s a five-rounder, but I think I’ll be able to wear him out, so it could be an advantage to me.
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