Dan Henderson wants Jones vs. Rampage winner, says Rashad Evans can wait
Posted on September 6, 2011, 11:29 AM by Joey Santosus
"Obviously, I think I am most comfortable at 205. And I think the biggest fight that the UFC would make money on and that the fans would want to see, I would think would be me against the winner of (Jon) Jones and Rampage (Jackson). That would be a fight to unify the titles with Strikeforce and the UFC. I think that would be a good move and really help out with their investment in Strikeforce at the same time. But, I'm not the one writing the paychecks and I still have to come up with a deal. We haven't really talked much yet, I think there's been one conversation, so we still have a few more to go... I'm not opposed to (fighting 'Shogun' Rua), but I think it wouldn't be a fight that I'd be excited about right now. I think maybe if he's got one more big win on him... I don't know, it's not really my place to say, but I think business wise for the UFC, it would be the biggest thing for them to unify the titles. And Rashad (Evans) could fight the winner of that." - For complete interview with Dan Henderson, visit MMAInterviews.tv
While rumors have run rampant that Stirkeforce Light Heavyweight Champion turned free agent, Dan Henderson, would challenge Middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva in his octagon return, Hendo appears to have "bigger" fish to fry - approximately 20-pounds bigger. According to Henderson, his sights are set firmly on the UFC's 205-pound strap.
After failing to come to terms with the UFC on a contract extension, Henderson jumped ship to sign with Strikeforce in 2009. Though he stumbled in his Welterweight debut with the promotion, the veteran quickly rebounded at Light Heavyweight and has since reeled-off three consecutive knockout wins, including a March victory over Rafael Cavalcante to take the division title. Now 5-1 in his last six outings, Henderson looks to unify that gold with the UFC's, but says that he isn't really interested in waiting in line. So what's the word LowKick'ers? Does Hendo deserve to leap-frog Rashad Evans and the rest of the hungry pack at 205 or should he have to prove his worth against a contender first?
Further Reading: Anderson Silva is the only opponent that interests Dan Henderson at Middleweight
Photo: Dan Henderson at UFC Trainer Press Conference at UFC 132 Weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo Credit: Scott Hirano.
Comments
I disagree Dan the biggest money fight would be Evans fighting the winner of Jones vs. Rampage, seeing how he has beef with both of them.
Shogun vs Hendo....one of my dream fights, hopefully UFC can make it happen like they did with Condit/Penn
I never thought i'd say it but i'm starting to feel sorry for Rashad. Seems like every legit title shot he gets ,somehow gets derailed.
I'm a long time Hendo fan but c'mon....wait your turn Dan
So Evan get F8ck again !?!
This guy really feels he has entitlement to fight for UFC belts without any real work in the division doesn't he?
He said he wasn't excited about the idea of fighting shogun? Maybe some randoms will crucify him for saying that because i didn't see that as an exciting fight either
Just like Brock, Akiami, and in the future Overeem?
How is getting in line behind Rashad but in front of all the other 205's any more fair to the division?
Henderson has already fought most of these guys at one time or another .. and was in the UFC less than 2yrs ago. He also got let go from the UFC following a WIN.
Where do you put him? .. got to be at the front or in the back (IMO)
Well, he just beat one of the legends of the sport and he's destroyed the former Strikeforce champ to get the title...He's also a legend in his own terms...His stock has never risen that high. So, in this sense, he's entitled to fight the best in the UFC...We'll have to wait and see if Dana thinks likewise...
Or Evans and Hendo could fight? NOW, LET'S GET IT ON
Interesting fight... I don't think the UFC will make Evans wait any longer on his shot tho. Not to mention they need to capitalize on the ongoing Jones-Evans saga while its still got some heat to it. If Rampage dethrones "Bones" in Denver, they can still sell his rivalry with Evans as well. So, I doubt Hendo is going to get the shot over Rashad. Perhaps he'll fight the winner of the Evans vs. Jones/Jackson fight tho.
Hm, maybe Dan should apply to be Joe Silva's consultant... since he's suddenly so concerned about the UFC making money.
Until then, he needs to get in line for the title shot - right behind Rashad.
It is odd to me to hear Hendo preaching the need to unify the titles, when he is the Strikeforce champ. Any time you hear of unification of titles, it is because the lesser organization has folded, which is not the case as yet. By asking for unification before there is any announcement of weaving the organizations together, all he is doing is devaluing his own belt.
If I was Hendo, I would want to take the high road, bask in his recent victory over Fedor, and start negotiations on what is the best next move for his career. Publicly asking for unification makes no sense to me. Even if his end goal is getting a big-money fight in the UFC, to state publicly that there is a need to unify the belt is an odd tactic.
Hendo is one of my favorites but i highly doubt he'll get winner of Jones vs Rampage if anything the loser of that fight makes more sense for him.
who the **** does he think he is? Rashad evans won 2 #1 contender fights and has already had to wait long enough. Henderson is the strikeforce champ and all but the man isn't even signed to the UFC and is already trying to push people around. Rashad evans has had to wait twice already sorry Hendo in this case if you want to unify the belts why don't you wait in line behind people who EARNED their shots.
hell you haven't even DEFENDED your belt..
Rashad was SUPPOSED to fight for the title against shogun, he got injured, when he healed, shogun got injured... he then went on a streak and beat juicehead thiago silva, and rampage jackson who Ironically gets the #1 contender shot instead of rashad is a little rediculous enough. Tito gets destroyed but thats pretty irelevent, im just saying rashads done work and hasnt lost in a long time, hes beat the best and someone who he's beat is getting his title shot that he was supposed to have like 2 years ago lol... since then the titles in jonnys hands and a guy who rashads beasted on is fighting in his spot now... I like dan and dans a great fighter who diserves to be up there... but saying rashad can wait is a little rediculous imo. Although i have to admit even though rashads waited far longer than he should rampage and jones is going to be really interesting..
Nothing ridiculous about Rampage getting the shot... he was next in line and Rashad was already booked for another Main Event bout with Davis. Makes perfect sense..
Hendo is the man! he is looking for the biggest challenges he could ever take! first Fedor now he wants The Light Heavyweight Champ oft he UFC!
Silva you should be taken notes ;)
Why wouldn't he rather take the shot at being the guy to beat AS? His name will always be remebered better for a win over AS than the champs at 205. I really do think there are those who would rather not meet AS in the cage twice. I don't think he's scared or anything but wouldn't it make sense to take a shot at AS for some real fame and fortune?
Silva was the one who didn't want the rematch with Hendo
that's why Hendo left the UFC, the snake of Ed Sores was trying to make Hendo fought Nate before a rematch with Silva to make time and avoid the fight eventually which he did , Silva agree with him because they knew Hendo was the only threat to Silva at 185.
Now Hendo doesn't want to give Silva the advantage of cutting to 185 and be weak like he was with Jake Shields, Henderson is 40 years old, taking Jon Jones is a much bigger challenge and would mark his legacy for Hendo, Silva will remain in the safe zone at 185
I think going down to 185 would be a huge mistake for Hendo. He cannot make that wt and be effective anymore. If AS would fight him at 205 maybe he would take it? Either way I think ANYONE who isn't afraid to fight Anderson is stupid. The guy is a once a century Martial Artist.
The Sharp click is next to my comment above the weak one where haters and Silva nuthuggers click
thank you.
I funnied you to be appropriate. Just because Henderson was clearly destroying AS up until the freak rear naked choke. I thought Jake Sheilds was going to gun for AS too and GSP too but now when GSP is asked he changes the subject. Jon Jones could have just plainly said i will fight AS if he comes to 205 but he didn't. Jon Jones also said ''I used to look up to guys like Shogun and now I am at that level. Now I look up to guys like AS''.
i find it funny anytime someone comes on here and calls people nut huggers for supporting a fighter that you don't agree with. you can throw the term out all you want bro but at the end of the day you're doing the same shit you are calling people nut huggers for.just saying
It's nuthugging if you make things up and go out of your way to be unrealistic.
Yea dan henderson was sewww scary last time he fought silva. After an impressive eypoke and headbutt decision win over rich franklin, hendo proceeded to KO bisping....how can that NOT get you another title shot? If that's not impressive, then your brain isn't made of cheese.
Rashaud has a better chance of the belt then dan
I wouldn't be so sure of that.. !! First of all Dan has MUCH better chin than Rashad... unlike Rashad, Dan can take a shot and that really makes all the difference in a fight with an unorthodox striker like Bones. Dan is not scared to run through some punishment to get a hold of Bones and throw a Boulder at him and put him to sleep. Cause that's the way i see that fight go down..... I most def. don't count Hendo out in a title fight with Bones..
I say fight rashad or shogun
hendo is old and hasnt so much time to wait... but rashad should be the next one for the titleshot
i'd love it if hendo skipped ahead of rashad.
not cos it makes sense.
i just hate rashad.
I like Hendo.
I do not like Rashad.
However, Rashad is far more deserving. Rashad has already been waitinf for his shot for several decades - it makes no sense for Hendo to just walk in and take it away. If Hendo wants a shot, he should at least have to fight Rashad for it.
shogun would beat hendo imo and i dont think hed look good against jonny bones and hes already lost to page soo .... he should just fight like phil davis or something to work his way up