LAS VEGAS — The crowd was fired up to see veteran Dan Henderson do his thing Saturday night at UFC 173, with many making the trip from Southern California to cheer on the legend.
No disrespect to the future Hall of Famer, but Cormier made Henderson look every bit a 43 year old going on 44. Cormier dominated the former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion, overpowering him with his wrestling and just generally ragdolling him.
After wearing him down for the better portion of three rounds, Cormier finished the job late in the round, earning the submission via rear-naked choke at 3:53.
Cormier set the tone from the outset by easily taking him to the mat and keeping there. Cormier, the former Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix champion, overpowered Henderson. Henderson attempted to crucifix Cormier from the bottom, but Cormier picked him up and delivered almost a pro wrestling style bodyslam.
DC continued to overpower Henderson throughout the first and second rounds, mixing in ground and pound and submission attempts.
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In the third round, Cormier delivered one of the most spectacular throws you’ll ever see in an MMA fight, getting Henderson about seven fight in the air. He continued to work Henderson over on the ground from there before finally getting in position for the winning choke.
In defeating his third former world champion (along with Frank Mir and Josh Barnett), Cormier improved to 15-0. He made it clear he wants champion Jon Jones next.
“Jon Jones, you can’t run from me forever,” Cormier said. “I’m the guy in your wrestling bracket who is coming after you.. No matter where you run to I’m coming. I know I can outwrestle anyone it doesn’t matter. I can take down Jon Jones 100 times it don’t matter. It’s my Octagon.”
While Joe Rogan did everything in his power to get Henderson to say he was retiring, Henderson wouldn’t bite, although he did concede a move back down to middleweight could be in the works. “I’m not done yet,” said Henderson (30-12), who lost for the fourth time in his past five fights.