Just as fans were gearing up for Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson to headline the first UFC main event on Fox, it turns out that Dana White and company have other plans.
While a lightweight title eliminator may still be a distinct possibility for the November 12 card, Tatame.com is reporting that the UFC wants a rematch between Dan Henderson and Anderson Silva to headline the card.
In two legendary fighters first met at UFC 82, and although Henderson likely won the first round, Silva submitted him with a rear naked choke late in the second round.
The bout would be a middleweight contest, so perhaps the UFC has little faith in Yushin Okami upsetting Silva at UFC 134.
Henderson has not fought at middleweight in 16 months since dropping the Strikeforce middleweight title to Jake Shields.
The Team Quest founder is fresh off arguably the biggest win of his career, scoring a TKO victory over fellow former pride star Fedor Emelianenko.
The bout was contest at heavyweight, but Henderson still weighed in at a modest 207 pounds.
As expected, the UFC has a plan B should Hendo not be willing to make the cut to middleweight: Brazil’s public enemy No. 1, Chael Sonnen.
Sonnen is currently scheduled to fight at UFC 136 against Brian Stann, which takes place on October 8.
Should Henderson not accept the fight, early indications are that Sonnen would be pulled from UFC 136 and Stann would fight Vitor Belfort instead.
However, do not forget that Sonnen is currently not licensed to fight in California, and the event takes place in Anaheim.
Whether or not Sonnen can acquire another fighter’s license from California is anyone’s guess, but it one would have to guess that the two sides are still not seeing eye to eye.
If Sonnen vs. Silva II came to fruition, it would be the immediate rematch from UFC 117 that many fans and analysts expected before Sonnen’s suspension regarding elevated testosterone.
It is easy to argue the fairness of Sonnen getting a title shot after a 15-month layoff and a plethora of legal issues, but it is impossible to deny that the fight would be a massive draw.
For the time being, the only fight confirmed for the UFC’s first event on Fox is Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza.
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