Dan Henderson Unsigned, But Anderson Silva Rematch 'Only Fight He'd Consider at 185

Quote :

After the expiration of his Strikeforce deal, current light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson remains unsigned, but is apparently a wanted man.

In recent days, UFC executives including Lorenzo Fertitta have confirmed that the UFC would be interested in possibly having middleweight champ Anderson Silva fight on its upcoming Nov. 12 event, a show that would mark the promotion's anticipated debut on FOX. Some reports have had him potentially facing Henderson.

At this stage, however, nothing is even close to concrete, including Henderson's future. Henderson's manager Aaron Crecy told MMA Fighting that he currently remains a free agent.

"Nothing is signed," he said.

Crecy said that preliminary talks have just begun a few days ago after Henderson returned from vacation. According to Crecy, since defeating Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, Henderson hasn't spent much time thinking about his next home.

That said, Henderson is open to a possible UFC overture, including one as big as headlining the first-ever UFC network TV card. The prospective fight would still depend on a few things, including Silva winning, coming out healthy, and having a willingness to fight again just over two months later. Along with that, Henderson would have to be signed to a UFC deal, something he would clearly consider.

"He's open to going back," Crecy said. "And to face Anderson, that's probably the only fight he'd consider at 185. If they offered it, I'm sure he'd accept that, but that's my own opinion."

Henderson (28- turned 41 on Wednesday. In his Strikeforce tenure, he went 3-1, defeating Emelianenko, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante and Renato Sobral while losing only to Jake Shields. Altogether, he's won six of his last seven.

Back in March 2008, Henderson and Silva faced off in a UFC champion vs. PRIDE champion matchup. Henderson had his moments in the first round, but Silva emerged victorious with a second-round rear naked choke.

Henderson's place in the annals of MMA history may already be safe, but he still finds motivation in challenges, and Silva would certainly present a challenge.

"At this point of his career, he just wants to have good, big fights," Crecy said.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/08/25/dan-henderson-still-free-agent-but-silva-rematch-only-fight-he/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

Not really keen on Hendo moving back down, he's at his best weight just now.

his only BAD loss there was to Shields, a superior wrestler, while he was having back issues... you guys are blowing this out of proportion for fuck sake

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Yeah, he gassed himself out in the first against Shields trying to get the finish. I'm not even sure if he lost to a better wrestler, just a fresher one. I think that's what happened with Maynard/Edgar too.

Someone mentioned Hendo/Shogun earlier. I would love to see that fight. I don't think weight-cutting benefits older fighters in general so I'd like to see Dan stick to LHW personally, but he could still bring it at MW -- it's just probably not his best weight.

OU wrote:

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Hendo vs Rua.

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Hendo vs Rua.

Well you could fit that into 1 of the 2 options I posted. Either Shogun beats Forrest and you call it a #1 contender fight. OR he loses to Forrest and you call it a Legends fight. Either way it's covered.

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Hendo vs Rua.

Well you could fit that into 1 of the 2 options I posted. Either Shogun beats Forrest and you call it a #1 contender fight. OR he loses to Forrest and you call it a Legends fight. Either way it's covered.

Screw options it's a great fight to make. Two legends whose styles will mesh for a WAR.

Entertaining, Intriguing fights > titles, rankings.

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Hendo vs Rua.

Well you could fit that into 1 of the 2 options I posted. Either Shogun beats Forrest and you call it a #1 contender fight. OR he loses to Forrest and you call it a Legends fight. Either way it's covered.

Screw options it's a great fight to make. Two legends whose styles will mesh for a WAR.

Entertaining, Intriguing fights > titles, rankings.

That doesn't make sense? Your suggested fight fits the options I posted, all there is to it.

Hendo is definitely his best at 205. The weight cutting (after doing it his entire life) is really messing with his performances. The older you get, the harder it is to cut water weight, etc. I think Hendo vs. Silva at 205 is a much better fight for Hendo (he would be at his best competition weight and Silva would be heavier, and possibly slower). Either way, that won't happen and if they fight again, it would be at 185. Id personally rather see Hendo stay at 205 and fight Rua, as was mentioned earlier, a rematch with Rampage, and not to mention the other awesome match ups for him at that weight (Evans, Machida, Davis, etc.). At 205 though, I think he needs to win a couple fights before getting a title shot.

I would rather see Hendo vs Rua anyway! or the winner of the Rua vs Griffin match at least.

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I would rather see Hendo vs Rua anyway! or the winner of the Rua vs Griffin match at least.

Which would have to be labeled #1 contender fight? Don't see how it couldn't be.

OU wrote:

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I would rather see Hendo vs Rua anyway! or the winner of the Rua vs Griffin match at least.

Which would have to be labeled #1 contender fight? Don't see how it couldn't be.

Isn't Shad the #1 contender ?

OU wrote:

Only fights that make sense for Hendo:
1. LHW title or #1 contender fight
2. MW title rematch with Anderson Silva
3. Another legends matchup on FOX

Completely agree. Its got to be one of those

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

I would rather see Hendo vs Rua anyway! or the winner of the Rua vs Griffin match at least.

Which would have to be labeled #1 contender fight? Don't see how it couldn't be.

Isn't Shad the #1 contender ?

Yes he is. But Jones vs Rampage is next month. By the time this fight would take place Evans would already be in line for the winner and we would need a new #1 contender.

Hendo needs to beat a top UFC lhw before he gets UFC title shot.

freakzilla wrote:

Hendo needs to beat a top UFC lhw before he gets UFC title shot.

You forget about the Legends clause that allows these men fast tracks to the title. Rightfully so.

I don't think it's rightfully so. I think he has to either beat the Rua-Griffin winner or beat Machida.

freakzilla wrote:

I don't think it's rightfully so. I think he has to either beat the Rua-Griffin winner or beat Machida.

no he doesn't... he's on a fucking role

freakzilla wrote:

I don't think it's rightfully so. I think he has to either beat the Rua-Griffin winner or beat Machida.

Well you are wrong again.

OU wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

I don't think it's rightfully so. I think he has to either beat the Rua-Griffin winner or beat Machida.

Well you are wrong again.

Old dude/legends get a bonus. Plus Shogun and Forrest have lost the title most recently than Dan did (Pride unification) so why not let Hendo try again before they. He did beat some legit names in SF, IMO.

Because when was the last time Dan beat a top 5 lhw? It's been a very long time.

freakzilla wrote:

Because when was the last time Dan beat a top 5 lhw? It's been a very long time.

He beat a top 5 HW recently. Does that count?

I don't think Dan Henderson has ever been more underrated by anyone in the world over the course of this boards life or anywhere than how he is here by killer.

GDPofDRC wrote:

I don't think Dan Henderson has ever been more underrated by anyone in the world over the course of this boards life or anywhere than how he is here by killerfreak.

fixed