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Why Dan Henderson Should Fight for the Middleweight Title

After fulfilling his four-fight contract with the organization of Strikeforce, Dan Henderson returned to the UFC in hopes of making one last run towards gold.Henderson proved he’s still a tip-top contender in an historical showdown with Mauricio “Shogu…

After fulfilling his four-fight contract with the organization of Strikeforce, Dan Henderson returned to the UFC in hopes of making one last run towards gold.

Henderson proved he’s still a tip-top contender in an historical showdown with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 139.

After five grueling and heart-wrenching rounds of war, Henderson and Rua awaited a judge’s decision that would eventually reveal a Henderson unanimous decision victory.

While Henderson is in the light heavyweight division, he should make the transition back to the 185-pound weight class.

Not only that, but “Hendo” should receive an immediate title shot.

Not only is competition thinner in the middleweight division, but it’s a place where Henderson has some unfinished business to take care of.

As we know, Henderson was defeated by current 185-pound champion Anderson Silva when the two met at UFC 82 years ago.

Henderson put Silva on his back and began to unleash vicious power punches and elbows, very similar to what Chael Sonnen did to Silva at UFC 117.

Unfortunately for Henderson, his chance at gold came crashing down when he was caught in a submission in the second round of action.

However, a transition to the middleweight division would mean far more than just a rematch with Silva.

The middleweight division is where Henderson could be at full potential.

Already one of the strongest 205-pounders in MMA today, Henderson would clearly outpower nearly every opponent that came his way.

In addition, Henderson is a former Olympic wrestler which would make him the front-runner of all martial artists in the middleweight division.

At this point, Henderson’s knockout power and ability to take a punch are an add-on bonus making him an even deeper threat.

Henderson should fight for the middleweight championship.

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

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Defending Dana White: Why so Much Hate for the UFC President?

Dana White is a polarizing figure. Some love him, some hate him, and those in the MMA blogosphere that have never even met him, take every opportunity they have to crucify his every move. I read the blogs daily and always read the comments sectio…

UFC 142 Predictions: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes and Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes: Since transitioning from the WEC to the UFC Jose Aldo has defended his UFC featherweight title twice, winning both fights by unanimous decision. Prior to those two fights Aldo had not had two fights go the distance…

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes: Since transitioning from the WEC to the UFC Jose Aldo has defended his UFC featherweight title twice, winning both fights by unanimous decision. Prior to those two fights Aldo had not had two fights go the distance since stringing three wins together between May 2006 and July 2007. Overall, Aldo will bring a record of 20-1 into this fight.

Aldo is the better striker of the two, he has unmatched speed with both his punches and kicks, but his kicks are especially devastating. The problem he has going into this fight is that he is facing a skilled wrestler in the 10-0 Mendes, who would like nothing more than to catch one of those kicks and put Aldo to the ground, where he can impose his will.

I look for Aldo to be evasive in this fight, using more arm strikes than kicks and doing everything he can to keep the fight standing, his speed should allow him to do that. Aldo by unanimous decision.

Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson: Two dangerous strikers will face off in the evening’s co-main event. Belfort, an MMA veteran will be looking to make a statement in this fight, in the hopes that it launches him toward another shot at the UFC middleweight title. His opponent, Johnson, will be making the leap up to middleweight from welterweight for this scrap, but that doesn’t give Belfort a size advantage. Johnson was a huge welterweight and he’ll still be a big middleweight and will have a height and reach advantage over Belfort. Belfort is the more experienced of the two and has faced stiffer competition. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if Johnson goes the same route he went in the Dan Hardy bout, taking his opponent to the mat and grinding out the decision. I want to say that this will be an exciting rock ‘em sock ‘em stand up war, but I’m not confident that it will be. I see Johnson fighting the smart, but unexciting fight and taking the decision.

Rampage Jackson on Muhammed Lawal: "He’s a Hater"

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has long been a mainstay in the UFC light heavyweight division. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has found success while competing in the UFC, so it’d be hard to see him fighting anywhere else.While appearing on …

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has long been a mainstay in the UFC light heavyweight division.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion has found success while competing in the UFC, so it’d be hard to see him fighting anywhere else.

While appearing on HDNet’s “Inside MMA” earlier this week, Jackson addressed his ongoing feud with current rival Muhammad Lawal. The two light heavyweights have traded words back and forth for some time, leading most fans to watching a future bout between them.

Lawal challenged Jackson to a matchup, however, it wouldn’t reside in the UFC. When asked about the potential bout, Jackson didn’t seem too fond of the idea.

“It’s funny that he gotta talk about me after his fight and say I should move down to the Strikeforce and fight him. I’m sorry, but from where I’m sittin’, that’s a step down,” Jackson said.

Jackson would go on to discredit Lawal’s skills and essentially show no interest in facing the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.

“I don’t like the guy. He’s a hater. He’s a big time hater, you know what I’m sayin’?,” he said. “Why would I wanna step down to the Strikeforce and fight him when I’m fightin’ in the biggest organization in the world?”

“King Mo” was one of the potential fighters to be brought over from Strikeforce, however, since he recently signed a multi-fight deal, it doesn’t look like a bout with Jackson will happen anytime soon.

As for Jackson, he is scheduled to meet Ryan Bader at UFC 143 in Japan on February 25th.

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UFC Returns to Atlanta for UFC 146, Heads to Sweden in April

The UFC has announced that it will make its return to Atlanta on April 21, 2012. The announcement was made on Tuesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight on Fuel TV. The last time the promotion visited Atlanta was Sept. 6, 2008. During tha…

The UFC has announced that it will make its return to Atlanta on April 21, 2012. The announcement was made on Tuesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight on Fuel TV.

The last time the promotion visited Atlanta was Sept. 6, 2008. During that event, Rashad Evans knocked out Chuck Liddell at the 1:51 mark of Round 2. The knockout was nominated at the World MMA Awards for “Knockout of the Year,” a category that was eventually won by Dan Henderson’s knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100.

In the co-main event of that card, Rich Franklin stopped Matt Hamill via third-round TKO.

The announcement on UFC Tonight did not indicate the location of the fight card or who would be competing on the card.

Earlier today, the UFC announced on its website that it would make its debut in Sweden on April 14, 2012. The fight card will take place in Stockholm and will be headlined by a bout between Alexander Gustafsson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

UFC president Dana White commented on the Stockholm card: “Sweden has been on our radar for a long time, and on April 14, we’re excited to finally bring the UFC to Stockholm. We’re putting together a great card for the Swedish fans. I can’t wait to get there in April!”

Other fights that will take place in Stockholm:

Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Paulo Thiago

DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire

Jörgen Kruth vs. Cyrille Diabate

Magnus “Jycken” Cedenblad vs. Francis Carmont

Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara

Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page

James Head vs. Papy Abedi

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Defending Dana White: Why so Much Hate for the UFC President?

Dana White is a polarizing figure. Some love him, some hate him, and those in the MMA blogosphere that have never even met him, take every opportunity they have to crucify his every move.I read the blogs daily and always read the comments section…

Dana White is a polarizing figure. Some love him, some hate him, and those in the MMA blogosphere that have never even met him, take every opportunity they have to crucify his every move.

I read the blogs daily and always read the comments sections where keyboard warriors can tell you an event sucks before it takes place, why B.J. Penn has no motivation, or how Cain Velasquez could have beaten Junior Dos Santos. The scenarios are endless and the accountability is non-existent.

When a UFC story breaks about a separation or contract talk breakdown, the answer is always the same. “It is Dana White’s fault,” they say, not caring that they know nothing of the details or facts (see: Fedor contract negotiations, Brittany Palmer leaving UFC, and Golden Glory fighters released).

As a lifelong New York Yankees fan, Dana’s “character” reminds me very much of George Steinbrenner (though others might say WWE star Vince McMahon). He takes care of business and makes no apologies for his style, his opinion, or his success.

I am convinced that even if he were to find a cure for cancer, the comments sections would still be overflowing with reasons to hate him.

Although I realize this opinion will not win me any fans, I feel it is time to defend Dana White on a few topics.

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