Dan Henderson to Get Next Shot at Anderson Silva's UFC Middleweight Belt

by Nate Wilcox on Jul 31, 2009 5:12 PM EDT in MMA News

Silva_henderson_zuffa_400_medium

Dan Henderson's time coaching on The Ultimate Fighter was well spent. Thanks to the exposure his bout with fellow coach Michael Bisping got on the Spike TV reality series, Dan Henderson dramatically increased his profile with casual fans.

But nothing helped transform Dan Henderson, legend of the sport, into Dan Henderson, casual fan favorite, faster than his shattering KO of Michael Bisping at UFC 100. And true to his mantra of rewarding exciting fights, Dana White has now stated that Dan Henderson will be next in line for a shot at Anderson Silva's middleweight title.

Henderson has won three straight over tough opposition, including former champ Rich Franklin. It doesn't hurt any that he probably stole the first round against Anderson Silva in their first bout. While Silva came out and finished him in the second, Henderson fans at least have a credible argument to make that their man could conceivably beat Anderson and take the belt.

Of course, Forrest Griffin might have some impact on the proceedings next weekend at UFC 101. He'll be facing Silva at a 205lb non-title bout designed to re-invigorate Silva's fan appeal, damaged after two back-to-back lackluster title defences against weak challengers.

If Silva emerges as unscathed from fighting Griffin as he has from his previous UFC bouts, we could see Henderson get his shot at the belt fairly soon. If Silva takes some injuries, things will take longer.

Meanwhile Demian Maia and Nate Marquardt will meet at UFC 102 and the winner may or may not have a title shot coming their way without having to fight again.

Dana White also stated on the call that the announced Dan Henderson vs Rich Franklin fight that would have headlined UFC 103 was called off because of poor fan reaction. Go BloodyElbow reader polls!

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Comments

Check out Hendo’s latest pop.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

good!!

im glad there not risking hendo fighting rich and having a chance of losing and giving him a title shot right after that orgasmic knockout.

Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit.

by mma is #1 on Jul 31, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

Dan can win this fight.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 31, 2009 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Of course he can

He’s probably the only middleweight that stands any kind of solid chance to do so. He has the jaw to keep coming forward and eating silva’s shots to go for the takedown. Plays it smart and keeps it on the ground he wins this. Oh and Hendo better up his sub defense.

I truly believe he can win fight though.

by poundnground on Jul 31, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

He didn’t “eat” shots in their last fight. Silva hit him, and Dan went down.

by madiq on Jul 31, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t do much to finish it. It’ll be like Kongo/Velasquez, eat shots go for takedown.

by poundnground on Jul 31, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's be fair now ...

… He stumbled around for a bit before he went down.

by asa on Jul 31, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Dan won the shit out of that first round, and I don’t know about you but I think he’s got one punch KO power. Maia is like Leites with takedowns and balls, so I think he can do it too (and don’t sleep on Nate the Great, he also has many many tools), but Hendo is probably the most compelling matchup at 185 for Anderson Silva.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 31, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

That first round was Lay and Pray. He did nothing once he got to half guard other than holding his hand over Silva’s mouth and half hearted hammerfists.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Those “half hearted” hammerfists were doing some damage I guarantee you.

by poundnground on Jul 31, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Not any visible damage. They weren’t even using his entire arm, they came from the elbow. Henderson was doing everything possible to prevent any space from getting between him and Anderson.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol at that

Those hammerfists looked nasty. They were landing flush on Silva’s temple; and when you take like 30 short hammerfists to the temple from Hendo, you’re gonna freakin feel it. I guarantee you Anderson had a mean headache after the fight

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Jul 31, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

He might have after the fight, but they were doing nothing in it. Hendo was never ever risking position and clinging to the half guard.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

He can, but that looping right hand that dropped Bisping would get him decapitated against Silva.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if they’ll set up the post-fight face-off with Silva if he wins.

by madiq on Jul 31, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

No love for Maia? I was hoping that they would at least wait to see if he can beat Marquardt before announcing the next title shot.

by Rabbit915 on Jul 31, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

I’m going to assume that the winner of Marquardt-Maia will face Vitor if he beats Rich in a title eliminator.

by madiq on Jul 31, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The winner of that fight will probably fight Vitor for the next shot.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 31, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Vitor will stay at 205?

by poundnground on Jul 31, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

poor Okami.

by kid_eh on Jul 31, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Who?

by asa on Jul 31, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

He can’t stay healthy. That’s screwed him worse than any organization ever has.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift

by Derek Suboticki on Jul 31, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Oh, I agree. He’s not getting “screwed” by the UFC. I just feel bad for the guy. Now he’s got to fight Chael “once you beat me you’re officially in the mix to be in the mix” Sonnen and then who knows who before he’s back in the picture.

by kid_eh on Jul 31, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

He definitely

deserved the title shot instead of Leites. And in some kind of poetic justice, the Silva/ Leites fight sucked ass.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Jul 31, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Okami vs. Sonnen at UFC 104

by Nick Thomas on Jul 31, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

by Nick Thomas on Jul 31, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

WOW!!

its boring just to see a pic. of him.

Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit.

by mma is #1 on Jul 31, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

what!!! he has got on a Caol Uno Shirt! nice.

"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com

by ekc on Jul 31, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Probably guaranteed title shot unless they want to take another fight during the downtime.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jul 31, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Dana White also stated on the call that the announced Dan Henderson vs Rich Franklin fight that would have headlined UFC 103 was called off because of poor fan reaction. Go BloodyElbow reader polls

I’m really proud of how distraught I was with this announcement.

by SES 84 on Jul 31, 2009 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

so I was thinking

Does Dana expect this fight to end any differently then the first one. I honestly have little interest in this announcement.

by proflex on Jul 31, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

it could go quite differently

I think Dan’s much more fired up and trained better for Bisping than he has in a long time.
He dramatically under-performed in his first fight with Anderson.

Follow me on Twitter @KidNate

by Nate Wilcox on Jul 31, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe so but I think that Bisping was way overrated going in to the fight and that Hendo’s performance was to be expected. Hendo can win this fight for sure if Silva comes in at less than 100% mentally.

by dedstrk316 on Jul 31, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

You got a better opponent? I’m all ears.

by toxic on Jul 31, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

hell yeah, hendo’s on fire now…

by kovy on Jul 31, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

If Hendo could only combine the “Right hand always loaded” striker with the amazing wrestling he has, it would be awesome. Always seems like you get one or the other though.

by xDieseLx on Jul 31, 2009 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

LOL

Finally Silva is fighting top guys again. ;)

by FredPancake on Jul 31, 2009 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome! Glad to see they changed their minds.
Silva vs. Henderson is a lot more interesting fight,
no offense to Franklin.Just not ready to see that fight
again.Its also cool that they may have changed the
fight due to fan reaction.They’re definitely paying
attention to whats being said.

by E.Nightmare on Jul 31, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

Hey all, been reading this site for a while now & saw something in this piece I’d chime in on…

Don’t think your statement about Silva’s past to outings coming against “weak competitors” is far.

Cote had a freak injury. Before that injury it looked like Cote was doing a good job of feeling out Silva’s rhythm & throwing off Silva’s timing. Disapointing fight? Yes. Weak competitor? No. Leites how ever, looked much WORSE than weak! ;]

That said, hope Forrest & Hendo both smash Silva!

Fedor is now known as... Fraudor Emillyvanillyenko.

by Johnny Juice Box on Jul 31, 2009 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

Fedor=Silva

People say AA & Timmay didn’t deserve to be top 5 when Fedor beat them. Well, Cote and Leites CERTAINLY were not top 5 and probobly not top 10. Just pointing something out.

by FredPancake on Jul 31, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Silva is not Superman. Somebody needs to fight dirty with him.

"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock

by BadB on Jul 31, 2009 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

by Nick Thomas on Jul 31, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

The selling point for this fight is going to be Hendo’s vicious Bisping KO, and the fact that Hendo was the last man Silva fought for real.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by Kaleb Kelchner on Jul 31, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

Hendo can win this for sure if he fights the right fight. He needs to use his amazing wrestling against the superior striker rather than try to stand and bang. I love Hendo, but I think his biggest downfall is that he will try to stand and bang with a guy he can easily take down even if the guy is technically a better striker. IF and that is a big if Dan fights smart he can win this.

by attgnp on Jul 31, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions