Although no title will be on the line for tonight’s main event between former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson (28-8) and former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (20-5), a title shot may be.
Henderson has already claimed his spot as one of the division’s best fighters, and his success in the UFC, Pride and Strikeforce has solidified him as a living legend in mixed martial arts.
He will take on Rua in a five-round non-title fight later tonight, and Rua is only one fight removed from losing his title to Jon Jones in March.
With a victory over Rua, Henderson will be quick to get a title shot versus the winner of the fight between Jones and Lyoto Machida, which goes down at UFC 140 in December. Jones’ other victories in 2011 include those over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Ryan Bader.
Even if he doesn’t get a title shot, he has recently stated that he wants to end his career in the UFC, and it will probably come in the light heavyweight division. A rematch with Anderson Silva could be interesting to fans, but only if it comes in the 205-pound division. He lost to Silva back at UFC 82.
The light heavyweight division is one that has always been filled with most of MMA‘s fan-favorite fighters, and assuming no up-and-comers make their way to the top of the 205-pound rankings, it will be fighters like Henderson who challenge for the title.
Win or lose, Henderson will always be a fight or two away from a UFC title.
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