5 Reasons Why Fedor Emelianenko Could Beat Dan Henderson

The emotions run the gamut: love, hate, anger, joy, and everything in-between. No matter who you are, you’ve probably got an opinion on Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson. That fight and an entire Strikeforce event booked around it is only a few days away, and as we get closer and closer, more and more people are giving their last predictions on this fight. And me? I’ll do my part: here’s the first of a two-day two-part “5 Reasons Why” that looks at why Fedor Emelianenko could beat Dan Henderson and vice-versa. Starting us off today are the five reasons why “The Last Emperor” could beat the current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.

5. Henderson is only two fights removed from a humbling loss to Jake Shields.

Believe me, I can and will discuss how Fedor losing two straight could end up being a major advantage for Henderson when I post that topic tomorrow. But let’s not forget that Henderson had one good round against Jake Shields before spending the next four on his back, getting dominated. Let’s also not forget the two very tough losses Henderson was handed in the UFC. It may not be the biggest advantage, which is why it starts out this list, but the fact that Henderson has been beaten eight times and even humbled a few times should give Emelianenko some sort of mental advantage.

4. Fedor’s chin is outstanding.

After two rounds of being absolutely dominated by the behemoth known as Antonio Silva, Fedor Emelianenko wanted more. At one point, Antonio Silva had Fedor Emelianenko in Full Mount and was unloading on him with massive punches from his pair of gargantuan fists. It was a situation that a few of Silva’s opponents had found themselves in before… and they all got knocked out. Emelianenko’s chin is still great to this day, so even if Henderson is able to drop the bomb, Fedor just might be able to power right through it.

3. Emelianenko’s top game is quite good, and he’s always had a slippery bottom game.

Emelianenko has always had a fantastic top game, and he’s never stayed on the bottom for long. That wasn’t true against Antonio Silva, but there’s a reason for that. As much as I like Antonio Silva and respect his skills as a ground fighter, the fact that he probably weighed in excess of 280 pounds when he stepped into the cage against Fedor was the chief reason why Fedor couldn’t get out from under him. Against Henderson, Fedor has a real shot of keeping this fight wherever he wants it and getting out of any of Henderson’s successful takedowns.

2. Emelianenko will likely have a size/strength advantage.

Being a bit shorter or a little less heavier didn’t matter as much back when Fedor was ruling over PRIDE FC with an iron fist, since most (if not all) of the guys with freakish physiques were glorified “freak show” fighters. But in today’s world of massive Heavyweights that are world-caliber fighters, Fedor’s relatively smaller size has begun to give him problems. He won’t have those problems against Dan Henderson, and for the first time in a while, Emelianenko will face someone that is actually smaller than him. And that’s a pretty big advantage.

And the number-one reason why Fedor Emelianenko could beat Dan Henderson is…

1. It’s Fedor Emelianenko.

You can love him or you can hate him, but I truly consider Fedor Emelianenko the greatest Mixed Martial Arts fighter of all time. That’s just how I feel, and I honestly don’t know if anything will ever be able to change that opinion. Win or lose, Fedor Emelianenko is a champion. He’s an incredibly humble man, and a true ambassador of the sport. Others may have left him, but I’ll always believe in Fedor Emelianenko. Because it’s Fedor. And that’s the best reason why he could beat Dan Hendrson.