Hendo to get next shot at 205 or 185 title shot..

[Kris P Lettus]

http://www.mmamania.com/2012/3/29/2912537/dana-white-dan-henderson-earned-title-shot-anderson-silva-jon-jones-ufc-mma

Long-time mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran and current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight contender Dan Henderson definitely has something to smile about.

In a career that spans more than 15 years, "Hendo" has put his time in the sport of MMA, participating all over the world with top organizations such as Pride FC and Strikeforce, earning world titles with both promotions. After failing to win gold in the UFC against Quinton Jackson at 205-pounds and Anderson Silva at Middleweight, the window of opportunity is closing little by little in his chance of capturing the elusive UFC world title.

After all, the former Olympic wrestler is no spring chicken.

After recently stating that he will probably "fight for three more years," and "voicing his displeasure of being passed over for a title fight against Jon Jones," Henderson might be thrilled to hear that UFC President Dana White has confirmed that he will indeed be the next challenger for either the 205-pound title or the promotion's 185-pound strap, because he has earned it.

Make the jump to see what White told Fight Day after yesterdays UFC 146 press conference:

"Yes, Dan Henderson will get the winner of that fight (Jones vs. Evans) or the winner of the Anderson Silva fight. Dan Henderson just wants a title shot. You know, there was a lot of talk about the stuff I said. Here is the thing. I offered Dan Henderson two fights. Dan Henderson wants this fight. Normally I don't do that. Guys don't sit around and wait and pick their fights. There's been very specific cases where that has happened and it's guys who have earned it or deserved it. Dan Henderson is one of those guys. Listen, Henderson has been around forever. He is forty-something years old. He has been knocking guys out left and right and if he wants to sit around and wait for this title shot, he can do it."

"Dangerous Dan" will turn 42 this fall, though his recent victories would indicate that this MMA legend has not lost a step.

Sure, he was visibly gassed in his epic bout against the much younger Mauricio Rua at UFC 139 last November, but his dominating knockout victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Rafael Cavalcante and Renato Sobral prior, gave glimpses of a fighter that was barely hitting his stride.

After receiving White's approval to sit around and wait for the title shot, "Hendo" can now rest easy knowing that he will have at least one more try to add a UFC world title to his mantle of impressive accomplishments.

Jon Jones and Rashad Evans will tangle for the 205-pound title at UFC 145 on April 21, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga., while Chael Sonnen will try to once again rip the 185-pound title from the hands of Anderson Silva at UFC 147 on June 23, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Anyone care to venture a guess as to which world title Henderson will fight for his next time out? Better yet, which challenge will prove more difficult for the MMA legend?

LEGEND

[Big Vic]

Of course white is going to give him that fight Jon Jones already burned through all of his competition in about 2 years, Silva has burned through all his competition as well.

The only legitimate guy you can put against Jones now is Hendo unless I am totally forgetting about someone.

[Kris P Lettus]

205 is still a deep devision..

Rampage beat Chuck
Rampage beat Hendo
Rampage lost to Forrest
Forrest lost to Rashad
Rashad lost to Machida
Machida won a controversial decision over Shogun
Shogun beat Machida
Jones beat Shogun
Jones beat Rampage

So, IMHO, Jones is the first "true" champ since Rampage with legitimate wins as the champ.. I also see Rashad's quickness and power as a huge threat to Jones.. He has the power that Rampage has, but also has the wrestling, quickness, and athleticism that Jackson doesn't have.. You also have to remember the loss to Machida was Rashad's only loss.. This time two years ago we thought Machida was unstoppable but when you are fighting the best, no one is unstoppable..

I think that if Jones beats Evans Hendo should get the shot.. And if Anderson beats Sonnen (who is a huge threat to take the 185 title), Anderson should move up and fight Jones..

You also have younger guys like Gegard Mousasi, Bader, Phil Davis, and who knows, Shogun could always come back or Machida..

As I said, when you are fighting the best in the world, you always have a chance to lose and the UFC has the best in the world..

[Big Vic]

I dont think we will ever see Jones/Silva soon. Dana knows they will make him more money on their current streaks than if they lose.

205 is deep but Jones went through a lot of them Bader lost to him Davis just isn't ready. Never seen Gerard fight so I can't comment on him.

I would bet a small part of Dana wants Jon to lose one of his next 2 fights to open some new title fights up.

[Next Big Thing]

I would bet a small part of Dana wants Jon to lose one of his next 2 fights to open some new title fights up.

What?! Why would even a small part of Dana want Jon Jones to lose? That makes no sense.

That's like a promoter wanting Ali, Tyson, De La Hoya, Mayweather or Pacquiao in their primes to lose to open up new fights in those divisions. Jones is an exciting fighter who finishes, that's a promoter's wet dream for a champion.

[Kris P Lettus]

They ran out of opponents for Silva 4 years ago when he choked out Hendo until Sonnen stepped up.. That's why they made him move up and fight James Irvin, who he dominated, and then move up again 2 fights later and fight Forrest Griffin, who he also dominated.. Look at the Leites and Maia fights, he knew he was so much better than them he toyed with both like a cat eating a beetle.. Fuck sake he toyed with Forrest Griffin like that and Griffin is a huge tough dude who is an absolute banger.. Guaranteed, if he somehow dominates Sonnen and Jones beats Rashad, Hendo will get the shot at the 185 title.. If he beat Hendo, Joe Silva and Dana White will def make him move up to fight Bones.. That's a huge money fight and they both seem to be the biggest threat to each other.. I also see Bader getting a shot at the 205 belt if he wins another big match, since his only loss was to Jones for the number one contender spot..

p.s. I just want to say, other than the Sonnen fight, the only round Anderson has lost in the UFC since coming there in '06, was the first round against Dangerous Dan Henderson..

[Next Big Thing]

I don't think Dana will make him move up. Like I said, there's more money and marketability in having a dominant fighter who finishes in exciting ways as champion as opposed to a carousel.

The only reason Dana was/is content with GSP moving up is due to the fact that there are quality fighters who are arguably more entertaining at 170 like Ellenberger, Diaz and Condit so if GSP does knock off Anderson, Dana is replacing him with just as big a star. Same thing with Edgar potentially dropping down. 155 is so stacked with talent, that losing the guy who beat B.J. Penn twice doesn't hurt and if he knocks off Aldo and dominates 145 it would probably be better for business due to Edgar's popularity. Same reason why Dana won't let Jones take any fights at HW this year, there's no one to replace him with that could dominate and be the face of the division.

And if you don't think anyone likes dominant champions who finish, then you have to ask yourself why Tyson was doing a million plus in PPV buys in the 90s when his fights were over in 30 seconds.

[Kris P Lettus]

Silva's PPV buyrates are way down due to lack of talent at 185..

I'm hoping Sonnen win just for a change of place..

[Crimson]

I have a feeling Sonnen will get knocked out early now. :/