UFC light heavyweight Dan Henderson earned a title-shot in November 2011 after capping off a four-fight run with an extremely entertaining effort against Mauricio Rua. However, champion Jon Jones was wrapped up in a grudge match with Rashad Evans and unavailable. Rather than stay active, Henderson decided to wait for Jones and nearly saw the move pay off before a knee injury forced him out of their tilt.
The iconic “Hendo” hasn’t fought since, spawning the longest period of inactivity he’s dealt with in a fifteen-year career. Henderson will look to end his absence from the ring on February 23 when he fights Lyoto Machida at UFC 157 and, if victorious, won’t be resting on his laurels again even if the divisional belt isn’t available.
Henderson explained his position in a recent interview with the UFC…
“I’m planning on just staying in his face, making him fight me, and trying to take advantage of touching his chin a little bit. Hopefully I can knock him out quickly. If not, I’m gonna control and beat him up for three rounds.”
“I’m not gonna wait around for a title-shot. If the timing’s not right I’ll fight somebody else that’s the top guy and I’ll knock them out. But I also feel like I’ll be the guy to beat.”
The full interview with Henderson can be seen below:
SOURCE: UFC
PHOTO CREDIT: STRIKEFORCE
Dan Henderson planning to wait for title shot rather than risk it in a fight
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mmagoonie you must be a complete waste of life. you are truly stupid if you think henderson doesnt have a chance of beating machida.
He’s going to KO Machida? HAHAHAHA… good luck. Funny how these one trick pony wrestlers (I can wrestle & I have a heavy overhand, durrr) think they’re amazing strikers… what a joke. Machida is going to school you, you bitch ass wrestler. Plain & simple.