Just a few hours ago, MMA Weekly broke the news that current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is making his return to the octagon at UFC 139, taking on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua, like Henderson, is …
Just a few hours ago, MMA Weekly broke the news that current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is making his return to the octagon at UFC 139, taking on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua, like Henderson, is one of the biggest Pride stars of all time.
At 41-years old, remains one of the top 205-pounders in the game as he has won six of his past seven, including four stoppages.
Meanwhile, Shogun looked impressive against Forrest Griffin in August, his first fight since losing the light heavyweight belt to Jon “Bones” Jones.
Despite some inconsistencies in the past few years, Rua has avenged three of his five career losses, and owns quality wins over the likes of Alistair Overeem (twice), Mark Coleman, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and Lyoto Machida.
Still in his prime at 29-years old, there is no doubt that Rua is one of the most dangerous strikers in the game right now.
Nevertheless, here is five reason why Dan Henderson will beat Mauricio Rua on November 19.
When Nick Diaz came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot. When Alistair Overeem came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot.Dan Henderson’s coming to the UFC; why should he get an immediate title shot? He shouldn’t, even though …
When Nick Diaz came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot. When Alistair Overeem came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot.
Dan Henderson‘s coming to the UFC; why should he get an immediate title shot? He shouldn’t, even though he’s acted like he should, which is exactly my point.
“I think the biggest fight that the UFC would make money on and the fans would want to see, I would think, would be me against the winner of (Jon) Jones and Rampage (Jackson).”
Just because someone is the champion of another organization doesn’t mean that they should automatically earn a shot at the most prestigious championship in MMA, the UFC belt.
I’m talking to you Shinya Aoki, Gilbert Melendez, Luke Rockhold and Hector Lombard.
There’s a reason for that, though. The competition outside of the UFC is simply not up to par with the competition inside the Octagon.
Henderson has won three fights since leaving the UFC, against Renato Sobral (not that great), Rafael Cavalcante (not that good) and Fedor Emelianenko (downside of his career).
The one loss he had since leaving the UFC came to Jake Shields at middleweight.
Maybe you remember Shields, he’s lost two in a row since coming to the UFC, including a 53-second TKO on Saturday night.
People who come to the UFC from other organizations haven’t looked as impressive. They need to earn their title shots the same way as other fighters.
However, there is one other way you should look at this scenario. Not only did Dan Henderson not earn his title shot, but if he were to get an immediate title shot, what do you do with Rashad Evans?
Evans has been one of the unluckiest fighters on the UFC roster, losing his title shot at two different chances due to injuries and other circumstances. If Hendo was to get an immediate title shot, Rashad Evans would be screwed again.
The timing is much better the way things are currently arranged. Jones fights Rampage at UFC 135, then the winner faces off against Rashad Evans around January.
Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua face off at UFC 139, and the winner of that can then take on the winner of the Evans-Jones/Rampage match.
It all works out for the best this way.
Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on Twitter @tmt2393.
Two of MMA’s most dangerous strikers will get their chance to meet in what could be a title eliminator match. According to MMA Weekly.com, Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 139. Henderson, St…
Two of MMA’s most dangerous strikers will get their chance to meet in what could be a title eliminator match.
According to MMA Weekly.com, Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 139.
Henderson, Strikeforce’s light heavyweight champion, will be making his second return to the UFC after defeating Fedor Emelianenko back in July.
A win for either man should put him in title contention.
Henderson has been in this position before. After winning both the Pride middleweight (205lbs) and welterweight (183lbs) titles, Henderson faced off against UFC champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Anderson Silva to unify their titles.
Henderson came up short in both bouts, but went on to win three straight, including a memorable knockout victory over Michael Bisping at UFC 100.
Like Henderson, Rua is a former Pride champion, winning the Pride middleweight tournament in 2005.
Since entering the UFC, Rua has had his fair share of ups and downs.
Rua is 4-3 in the UFC, and has nearly traded wins and losses.
All four of Rua’s wins are by KO, including his UFC light heavyweight championship fight again Lyoto Machida.
While a win for either man should put them in the mix.
Every man Rua has defeated in the UFC is a former champion while Henderson was Strikeforce’s most recent light heavyweight champion.
With Rashad Evans in place to challenge the winner of Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson, the winner of Henderson vs. Rua should be next in line.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Henderson verbally on tap for UFC 139. UFC 135 headliners, Jon “Bones” Jones and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will appear live tonight at Midnight on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC. Quinton.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Hendersonverbally on tap for UFC 139.
UFC 135 headliners, Jon “Bones” Jones and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will appear live tonight at Midnight on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC.
Jake Ellenberger is the huge weekend winner. Check out all the winners and losers in the rankings for UFN 25.
Dana Whiteweighs-in on Mayweather vs. Ortiz fight, says the fight was “dirty” with “horrible refereeing.”
Okay okay… Chael Sonnencalled this and said the fight “won’t happen”. BoxingInsider.com is reporting a delay in the James Toney vs. Ken Shamrock due to money issues.
The term “cocky” has become synonymous with Jon Jones as of late. Whether you agree or not, the champion’s demeanor has forced some fans to backlash against him leading up to UFC 135, where his opponent, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, doesn’t seem to…
The term “cocky” has become synonymous with Jon Jones as of late.
Whether you agree or not, the champion’s demeanor has forced some fans to backlash against him leading up to UFC 135, where his opponent, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, doesn’t seem to be too fond of the 24-year-old Jones.
“Jon Jones didn’t respect me at the press conference and I have no respect for him,” Jackson said during a UFC 135 media call.
The ongoing feud between Jackson and Jones has seemingly grown over time, looking to reach its climax this weekend when Jones makes his first title defense against the UFC veteran. Jackson, who has competed in multiple organizations, holds a lot of valuable experience throughout his career and he has defeated some of the sport’s prominent legends in Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva.
“At the press conference in Denver he was saying stuff that was uncalled for. I don’t know if he was joking but I took him serious,” he said.
Along with his experience, Jackson said he is well aware of oddsmakers labeling him an underdog, but if anything, that has motivated the former UFC light heavyweight champion to make statement inside the Octagon and defeat Jones in typical “Rampage” fashion.
“I looked at a bunch of his fights and realized he hadn’t fought anybody like me and people are counting me out,” he said.
“I think Jon will go on to be a better fighter but I don’t want him to have the pressure to be undefeated and I’m the first person to give him that first ass-whoopin so he can go on to be the fighter he can be.”
This is an interesting, bold statement coming from Jackson, considering he said holds nothing personal against Jones. However, the recurring theme is that Jones’ arrogance is continuously being brought up by his fellow peers, including former teammate Rashad Evans.
But regardless of who you believe, Jones’ personality has certainly crossed over and it has turned him into public enemy for everyone to see.
The soft-spoken UFC light-heavyweight champion and tough-talkin’ former champ are fresh off their personal-attack-heavy segment during the Shields vs. Ellenberger broadcast. Even with the two separated through the miracles of satellite technology, it felt like a fight could break out at any moment. So what will happen when they’re sharing the same couch to promote UFC 135?
As UFC.com mentions, “It’s unknown at press time whether the third guest on the show, Dr. Phil, will be brought in to try and smooth things over between the two.” Oh man. Kimmel, if you don’t make that bit happen, then Jimmy Fallon has won the war.
(It’ll be like their confrontation on Saturday, except with more nervous laughter from the interviewer. Props: isanoria)
The soft-spoken UFC light-heavyweight champion and tough-talkin’ former champ are fresh off their personal-attack-heavy segment during the Shields vs. Ellenberger broadcast. Even with the two separated through the miracles of satellite technology, it felt like a fight could break out at any moment. So what will happen when they’re sharing the same couch to promote UFC 135?
As UFC.com mentions, “It’s unknown at press time whether the third guest on the show, Dr. Phil, will be brought in to try and smooth things over between the two.” Oh man. Kimmel, if you don’t make that bit happen, then Jimmy Fallon has won the war.
When Nick Diaz came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot. When Alistair Overeem came to the UFC, he didn’t get an immediate title shot.