Dan Henderson returns to the Octagon for the first time since a devastating knockout victory over Michael Bisping two years ago.Henderson took his talents to Strikeforce where he claimed victory in three consecutive fights and captured the light heavyw…
Dan Henderson returns to the Octagon for the first time since a devastating knockout victory over Michael Bisping two years ago.
Henderson took his talents to Strikeforce where he claimed victory in three consecutive fights and captured the light heavyweight championship.
With knockout victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Rafael Cavalcante and Renato Sobral, Henderson became a highly-sought-after free agent. Needless to say, UFC brass didn’t waste time signing the future Hall of Famer back to the light heavyweight roster.
In anticipation of his return to the Octagon at UFC 139 opposite Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the night’s headliner, there’s no lack of excitement for Henderson.
“I’m going to finish up my career in the UFC and I am excited by it; and the fact the UFC has a huge FOX deal now makes it even more exciting,” Henderson today said at UFC 139’s media events. “I am not going to worry about my next fight—as far as getting a title shot—I need to win this fight and then the rest will take care of itself. I need to win in the Octagon this weekend first before I talk about what’s next. Shogun is a very dangerous opponent; this is a fight I wanted to happen years ago in PRIDE and he’s a name that will look good on my record.”
For a fighter who has held championships in PRIDE and Strikeforce, Henderson could walk away from the sport already set in the history books. However, there’s one piece of gold that he’s yet to capture.
“I think it is fair to say I’ve accomplished a lot in the sport, but one thing I have not accomplished is winning the UFC title,” Henderson said. “I like to set goals and that’s a big one: winning the UFC title.”
A victory over Rua certainly places him in title talk, and Henderson believes he has the time needed to work towards the championship regardless of age.
“I feel I have got a lot of fights left in myself,” he said. “I am 41 and feel great. I’m not putting a time limit on anything. I think I can put a game plan together to beat anyone out there. I am aggressive throughout the whole fight and always trying to finish a fight, although Shogun is very good and well-rounded so that will be a challenge to do.”
Henderson has 13 knockouts to his credit with three coming over the past 11 months, so he may very well be in his prime despite being 41 years old.
As for how he feels about his opponent’s pre-fight statement regarding knocking Henderson out, the California resident wishes Shogun luck in being the first man to ever stop him by knockout.
“I am going to try to out-strike Shogun. I am going to try to beat him in every aspect of MMA. I guess I could get knocked out like anyone can get knocked out, but I’ve been lucky enough not to get hit on the button yet. But, him saying he’s going to be the first man to knock me out, good luck to him on that one.”
Joshua Carey is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.
For additional information on UFC 139, follow Joshua Carey onTwitter.
Dan Henderson’s matchup with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua feels long overdue. The two light heavyweights will meet in the main event at UFC 139 to likely determine the next challenger at 205 pounds. Henderson, who is unbeaten in his last three bouts…
Dan Henderson‘s matchup with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua feels long overdue.
The two light heavyweights will meet in the main event at UFC 139 to likely determine the next challenger at 205 pounds. Henderson, who is unbeaten in his last three bouts, has a lot of confidence heading into his bout against the Brazilian.
While both Henderson and Rua are slated to meet this weekend, they never crossed paths while competing in the Japanese-based promotion.
Now, Henderson gets his opportunity to face Rua, who he thinks presents an interesting challenge to him, stylistically.
“He’s definitely accomplished a lot of things in this sport, and those type of things excite me to go up against guys like that and test myself against them,” Henderson told MMA Heat reporter Karyn Bryant.
In addition to testing his skills against Rua, Henderson gets a chance to face one of the few opponents he was unable to meet in Japan, who he believes he would have defeated under the Pride banner five years ago
“I was still dangerous back then, but I feel like I’m capable of finishing guys a lot better now. I’d probably have a better chance of finishing him now than I did five years ago ” he said. “With that being said, I still think I would have controlled the fight and still beat him back then, no problem.”
UFC 139 is scheduled for this weekend, live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose.
Cung Le hasn’t abandoned MMA for Hollywood. His upcoming fight against Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 is his top priority, not what film roles he has lined up.”The last time I came off a movie set was the end of February,” Le said at the UFC 139 media conf…
Cung Le hasn’t abandoned MMA for Hollywood. His upcoming fight against Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139 is his top priority, not what film roles he has lined up.
“The last time I came off a movie set was the end of February,” Le said at the UFC 139 media conference call, at which Bleacher Report was present.
“I got back and I took like a week or two off and was back in the gym every day training until now. Right now all the focus is on Wanderlei. Whatever movies are lined up, my manger is taking care of that, so I’m just focused on this fight right now. Then I’ll sit down with me team afterwards and see what’s going on.”
The fight against Silva is Le’s first fight in over a year; the last time the eclectic Sanshou fighter was in the cage, it was in a June 2010 Strikeforce bout against Scott Smith.
Le easily disposed of Smith, but wasn’t heard from for quite some time after the merger.
According to Le, that wasn’t his intention.
“Right after the last Scott Smith fight I wanted to fight right away,” he said. “But Strikeforce doesn’t have as many fights as the UFC so I got put on hold for a while. So I just jumped right into the movies and did three movies back to back. Then, the UFC ended up buying Strikeforce and I felt like this was my opportunity; I could fight for the UFC and it actually happened.”
Does this mean that if the UFC hadn’t purchased Strikeforce that Le would’ve been done in MMA?
That question can’t be answered for sure since even Le himself doesn’t know.
“It’s really hard to answer that question because I’m a fighter first before I’m an actor.”
“If this fight wouldn’t have happened, it could’ve went either way. I could’ve just maybe hung up the gloves and focused more on the movie career…Scott and I, we’re pretty good friends, so I figured I’d end my career with Scott Coker and Strikeforce. But when the UFC bought [Strikeforce], I was excited and there was more of an opportunity for me to fight for the UFC, and then it happened!”
Le may be friends with Coker and be grateful to Strikeforce, but he knows how much the UFC means to a fighter.
“The UFC is the top of the food chain. It’s like going from the CFL to the NFL,” he said.
At UFC 139, Le will be fighting in his hometown of San Jose, Calif., which provides a sense of poetic justice since that’s where Le’s very first MMA fight took place.
The only down side? Moochers.
“All you’re old friends from high school, junior high, they’re definitely hitting you up for tickets for free.”
In what’s becoming increasingly familiar for fight fans on any given weekend, the UFC is right back in our grills with a phenomenal event in San Jose this Saturday night on pay-per-view. In fact, this card is packing solid fights from start to fi…
In what’s becoming increasingly familiar for fight fans on any given weekend, the UFC is right back in our grills with a phenomenal event in San Jose this Saturday night on pay-per-view. In fact, this card is packing solid fights from start to finish, making it a possible top contender for best show of the year. Admittedly, I might be overstretching it a bit, considering that statement is before the fact, but it is certainly a strong way to close out the tail end of the year.
When combining the star power from the main event and co-main event, you’ve got four fighters—two of which are legends and one well on his way—who at one point in their careers have been title holders.
Furthermore, the rest of the card boasts two more ex-champions squaring off for a chance at bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz and another fight between two starving welterweights vying for the opportunity to become the division’s No. 1 contender in the near future.
Let’s not forget the prelims during this orgasmo rundown of UFC 139. To keep the trend alive, there is one more guy, Miguel Torres, who used to wear gold and flirted with many pundits’ pound-for-pound lists back in the height of his career in the WEC.
On the featured Spike portion of the prelims, a former contender—who was on the verge of a championship run with current light heavyweight champ Jon Jones—is on deck to return to the upper echelons of the 205-lb stable. The list goes on; this is not an event to miss.
Beware: There is a lot of bling on this card
Now that we have established how intriguing UFC 139 is as a whole event, let’s take it a step further and briefly exam three bouts guaranteed to shake things up in and out of the Octagon. Obviously the top billings create all the bells and whistles, but the heart and engine of the event can easily be overlooked due to card placement. Be sure not to miss these top three fights before the co and main event.
UFC 139 storms into the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California this Saturday, November 19.Headlining the action-packed card will be a light heavyweight matchup of epic proportions between newly-signed MMA veteran and recent Fedor Emelianenko destroyer Dan…
UFC 139 storms into the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California this Saturday, November 19.
Headlining the action-packed card will be a light heavyweight matchup of epic proportions between newly-signed MMA veteran and recent Fedor Emelianenko destroyer Dan Henderson against former UFC and Pride champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Main card action also includes a tremendous middleweight duel between the hard-hitting, aggressive Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and the lethal Cung Le.
Bantamweight action continues with a bout between “The California Kid” Urijah Faber and Brian Bowles.
Returning to the Octagon after suffering an upset defeat at the hands of Charlie Brenneman, Rick Story will look to re-establish himself in the welterweight division as he challenges the crafty veteran Martin Kampmann.
Rounding out the main card action will be a light heavyweight bout between Stephan Bonnar and Kyle Kingsbury.
Please follow along as I dissect and predict the winners for the main card fights at UFC 139.
You can follow Todd Seyler at www.napalmfitness.com
JS: Hi Alex, thanks for taking the time to talk today. I couldn’t seem to locate a nickname for you online. Do you have one? If so, is it awarded or self-entitled, and can you elaborate upon its significance?
AS: Yes, my nickname is “extrem…
JS: Hi Alex, thanks for taking the time to talk today. I couldn’t seem to locate a nickname for you online. Do you have one? If so, is it awarded or self-entitled, and can you elaborate upon its significance?
AS: Yes, my nickname is “extremo,” “extreme” in Spanish. My gym awarded me that nickname, my team members and my coach because I’m always doing extreme things, as are my family. I used to jump out of planes in the military, I was deployed in Afghanistan, and now I train dolphins for a living for the US Navy. I train the dolphins full-time, that’s my primary job. It pays my bills. Now that I’ve got a shot in the UFC, let’s see what happens. Working with animals is special, and something I’ve wanted to do since being a kid, but fighting is my passion and I believe I can go far.
JS: Okay, so given your penchant for extreme activities and situations, do you feel that MMA was the natural progression for you following your military service?
AS: Yes, absolutely. Even during my time in the military, I would box with other soldiers and fare very well, so martial arts came naturally to me. On top of that, it’s a great sport with which I’ve fallen in love.
JS: Having faced life-threatening situations, does stepping into the cage seem a comparatively less daunting prospect?
AS: Well, in Afghanistan, you didn’t necessarily know who your enemy was. The enemy could have been all over the place. In those situations, you have your military brothers at your side to support you. In a cage, at least you know who you’re fighting, who’s standing in front of you the entire time. So there are certainly differences. But there are also similarities. You’re out there exposed, and it’s a battle, it’s life or death.
JS: You were drafted in to feature on UFC 139 against Michael McDonald once Johnny Eduardo pulled out injured. Were you signed to the UFC anyway?
AS: It was a last-minute opportunity that presented itself. The UFC made the call, they needed a fighter to face Michael McDonald, who is a very, very tough opponent. Without hesitation I accepted. My coach and my management company also played a big part in securing me this great opportunity.
I’m excited about the fight. I think it’s going to be an awesome spectacle, a battle between two bantamweights. I’m hoping for a brawl. It’s such a stacked card, with numerous legends and ex-champions featuring, so I think the calibre of our fight will fit in with the rest of this quality event.
JS: I think it’s fair to say that you’re a relatively inexperienced mixed martial artist, having been competing professionally for just two years. Do you feel ready for this opportunity?
AS: In life, whenever somebody presents an opportunity, you take it and you make the most of it. That’s exactly what I plan on doing. I’ve never been more ready for a fight in the UFC as I am now.
JS: Great. And do you believe you are ready to make a legitimate run at the Bantamweight strap?
AS: Absolutely. I’ve always believed that I could hang with these guys and that I could be the champion one day. Not only do I have an opportunity to fight in the UFC, but I also have an opportunity to fight someone in Michael McDonald who is making a lot of noise within the bantamweight division. If I get through McDonald, it catapults me towards the upper tier of the division. I’m willing to fight anyone the UFC throws my way.
JS: You came up slightly short in your bid to make it onto TUF 14. In hindsight, given that you’ve now made it into the UFC directly, was this a blessing in disguise?
AS: Yeah absolutely. Not being in “The Ultimate Fighter” didn’t break my heart. I accepted it, and I was moving on ready to take on other fights. That’s what it’s all about, keep fighting until the UFC gives you the call. If you stay the course, and continue to believe that you’re going to get there, you can achieve anything. That’s exactly what happened. I never lost faith.
JS: Obviously, this is the big leagues, and you’ll be fighting in front of thousands of eyes live, and millions worldwide. What’s the biggest crowd you’ve fought in front of thus far in your career?
AS: In Mexico, I headlined some shows defending my title at UWCM. It gets packed, around 5 or 6 thousand people in the crowd. But never in the category of the UFC. I think I’ll adapt just fine to the magnitude of the UFC. The punches are the same, no matter who is there to watch it.
JS: Was becoming part of the Alchemist MMA family a natural choice for you given the management company’s multiple ties to the US Army, and obviously your involvement with the military?
AS: Yes, absolutely. Being ex-military is something we are all proud of. And furthermore, ex-military men are always trying to help each other out. The way I found out about Lex McMahon (President of Alchemist Management) was through the apparel brand “Ranger Up”, which is one of my sponsors. Ranger Up contacted Lex on my behalf and put us in contact. Lex was able to sign me, he’s been my manager for 18 months now and it’s been a wonderful experience.
JS: Also, the UFC strongly supports the US military, in particular through events such as “Fight for the Troops.” Looking ahead, is featuring on one of these cards something which potentially interests you?
AS: Absolutely, I always want to give back in whatever way possible. I’d love to be a part of something like that. I understand what the troops are going through when they’re deployed abroad, away from their families. It’s a tough situation, and I know where they’re at because I’ve been in their shoes. A lot of the troops are young kids also. When I was in Afghanistan, Robin Williams came out to do a stand-up comedy show, which was incredibly funny, and also touching that he came out of his way to entertain us. That’s special.
JS: Okay, and Alchemist is also renowned for the involvement of CEO, MC Hammer.
AS: I mainly deal with Lex, as he’s more involved with the daily needs of the fighters. But Hammer and I have been in contact through Twitter and email. Hammer carries a massive marketing value. He understands the fight business, having managed Evander Holyfield back in the day. I remember growing up in Mexico, rapping along to MC Hammer songs. He’s a huge cultural icon and a part of my childhood in Mexico.
JS: I recently interviewed Lex, and I joked with him about one of the Alchemist fighters entering the Octagon to “Can’t Touch This” in order to pay homage to the Alchemist CEO.
AS: Hahaha. I think that would be awesome. To have Hammer in my corner and to walk out to one of his songs. It would certainly add to the show. I’m not sure if Hammer is in attendance on Saturday, I’ll have to ask Lex.
JS: Are you in contact with any of the other high-profile fighters that occupy the impressive Alchemist roster?
AS: Ah, yes. I’ve been up to Denver, Colorado to train with the Grudge team. The Grudge training centre is ran by the awesome Trevor Wittman, and I got to train and meet a lot of the Alchemist guys up there, including Brendan Schaub. Nate Marquardt also called me prior to my June fight in Japan, and he gave me some great advice about what to expect out there, particularly in regards to the food and jetlag. So, it’s been pretty special to draw upon the advice of some very experienced fighters who are part of the same management team. It’s a useful tool at my disposal.
JS: Okay, moving onto your fighting style, in order to introduce you to those who may not yet be familiar with you. Your record boasts both KOs and submissions. Would you label yourself as predominantly a striker or grappler? Or are you well-versed in all facets of the game?
AS: I’m a well-rounded fighter. I like to say that I can do everything. And at this level of the game, you have to be able to do everything. Mixed Martial Arts is a new martial art in itself. Before I came to mixed martial arts, I had done some boxing and kickboxing in the army, but I didn’t have a solid background. Everything has flown naturally for me. I have a natural talent for fighting, and that inspired me to take it more seriously and perfect my craft. I think I typify the modern mixed martial artist, who begins by learning all elements of the game simultaneously rather than training one art as a base.
JS: Absolutely, Dana White talks about the influx of this type of mixed martial artist. A lot of your fights have been concluded in Round 1…are you generally an explosive fighter, seeking the early finish?
AS: Yes, that’s exactly my fighting style. I categorize myself as explosive and chaotic. Purposeful accidents. It’s going to be an exciting, non-stop fight, because both Michael and I have great cardio.
JS: Haha, kind of like “organised chaos.” Where do you currently train?
AS: San Diego Combat Academy with Team Hurricane Awesome. The gym has produced one of the top-ranked female fighters in Liz Carmouche. The UFC fighter Walel Watson also trains out of there. It’s a great gym.
JS: Do you ever spar with Liz?
AS: Liz is a great sparring partner, she’s super tough. You can’t go easy on Liz during sparring, because she will knock you out. You have to go hard. I’ve seen guys come to the gym and have their ass handed to them by Liz, and after that, you never see them again.
JS: Haha. Have you been impressed with the footage you’ve watched on McDonald?
AS: I’m very impressed with McDonald. He seems like a good guy with a good head on his shoulders. But he has everything to lose in this fight and I’m going to take advantage of that situation. I’m going to be trying to finish this fight the entire time. Michael McDonald isn’t going to be the man to end my undefeated record. I’ve never been so confident heading into a fight. This is my fantastic opportunity, and I have nothing to lose.
JS: Does his experience advantage, in terms of quantity of fights, calibre of opponent, and experience under the Zuffa banner, render him the favourite heading into this fight?
AS: It’s certainly true that he has an experience advantage over me. He’s a young fighter, and I don’t know where his head is at mentally. Really what it boils down to is when you’re getting punched in the head, experience doesn’t matter. We are both well-rounded fighters so this fight is likely to play out all over the place.
JS: Okay, have a good final week of preparation and many thanks for your time, it’s been a pleasure.
Dan Henderson returns to the Octagon for the first time since a devastating knockout victory over Michael Bisping two years ago.