Explore the memorable career of Dan Henderson in mixed martial arts (MMA). From his arrival in the UFC to his retirement, discover the triumphs and challenges he faced along the way.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Dan Henderson’s Career | Dan Henderson had an incredible career in MMA, facing challenges and achieving remarkable success. Despite never capturing the UFC gold, he left an indelible mark on the sport. |
| Arrival in the UFC | Henderson joined the UFC in 2007 after his victory over Wanderlei Silva in PRIDE. He revealed that he would have stayed with PRIDE if it hadn’t been acquired by the UFC. |
| A Money Decision | Henderson left the UFC due to financial considerations. He requested a specific amount, which the UFC declined, leading him to join Strikeforce. |
| The Unexpected Journey | Henderson compares his fighting career to that of a stripper who initially planned to do it for a year but continued for much longer. He was enticed by the cash payments in PRIDE. |
| Success in Strikeforce | Henderson achieved great success in Strikeforce, winning the Light Heavyweight title. |
| Return to UFC | After his time in Strikeforce, Henderson returned to the UFC and fought an additional 11 times. He became the oldest fighter to challenge for UFC gold. |
| Retirement | Henderson retired from professional fighting after his loss to Michael Bisping. At the age of 46, he left behind a remarkable legacy in MMA. |
The Journey of Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson had an illustrious career in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Throughout his 19-year journey, he faced numerous challenges and achieved remarkable success. Despite his accomplishments, Henderson was never able to capture the coveted UFC gold. Let’s take a closer look at his remarkable career.
Arrival in the UFC
In 2007, Dan Henderson joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after his impressive victory over Wanderlei Silva in the PRIDE Fighting Championship Middleweight title. However, Henderson revealed that he would have likely stayed with PRIDE if the UFC hadn’t acquired the organization.
A Money Decision
Henderson’s departure from the UFC was primarily driven by financial considerations. He requested a specific amount from the UFC, which they declined. As a result, he made the decision to leave and joined Strikeforce, where his financial demands were met.
The Unexpected Journey
Henderson compares his fighting career to that of a stripper who initially planned to do it for a year but ended up continuing for much longer. Similarly, he initially intended to fight for a year in PRIDE before pursuing a career in chiropractic school. However, the allure of cash payments in PRIDE convinced him to continue his fighting journey.
Success in Strikeforce
During his four-fight stint with Strikeforce from 2010 to 2011, Henderson experienced great success. He achieved a record of 3-1 and even won the Light Heavyweight title.
Return to UFC
Following his time in Strikeforce, Henderson returned to the UFC and fought an additional 11 times. Notably, he became the oldest fighter to challenge for UFC gold at the age of 46. However, his quest for the championship ended with a unanimous decision loss to Michael Bisping in their rematch at UFC 204 in October 2016.
Retirement
After his loss to Bisping, Henderson decided to retire from professional fighting. At the age of 46, he left behind a remarkable legacy in the world of MMA.
