Hendo: UFC should have given me a title fight
MMA Nation’s Luke Thomas sat down with former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson to learn his feelings about returning to…
MMA Nation’s Luke Thomas sat down with former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson to learn his feelings about returning to the UFC, what should happen to Strikeforce, the physical advantages he takes into his UFC 139 fight, whether Wanderlei Silva should retire, and more.
Luke Thomas: Would you like to see (Zuffa) keep (Strikeforce) around in some form or another or does it not matter one way or another?
Dan Henderson: No, I would love to see them keep Strikeforce around. I would have liked to see them keep it the way it was and build it up and make it to where they were putting the champs against each other but right now it looks like they’re taking the champs out of there.
LT: … What does a win over Rua get you? Some folks are suggesting that if you win this, with Rashad Evans agreeing to take another fight instead of waiting for Jon Jones again, that you could potentially get a title shot against Jon Jones? Do you believe a win over Shogun Rua puts you right in line for a title shot?
DH: I was probably thinking that I was in line for a title shot just coming out of Strikeforce as their champ. That’s how they should have done it, but Rashad was in there at the time and it’s just the way it went and that’s the way it goes. At this point, I haven’t thought about it in a couple months. I’m just focusing on Shogun. Nothing’s gonna work out the way I want it unless I get through Shogun and he’s a tough opponent so I need to make sure I’m focused on him.
LT: When you fight Shogun Rua, what do you have to watch out for? He’s got a great clinch, he sort of bulldozes people straight forward with strikes. Obviously good on the ground, has a decent trip takedown from the body lock. What are you looking for?
DH: I’m just looking to wear him out and make him work hard that first round or two and then he’s not as dangerous. He’s got some good knees, good kicks and an unorthodox punching style.
LT: Who has the speed advantage here?
DH: That I don’t know. I think he’s quick with his kicks but as far as hands go, I don’t know. He’s not a guy that I’m worried about his speed.
LT: …Now Shogun Rua has had some good performances but he also seems to fade late. Is he not getting the right training or do you believe that there are just guys that don’t have the biological capability to have that endless gas tank?
DH: Yeah, I think it’s a combination of everything. He definitely could train harder and he typically looks a little bit soft during his fights. That could be genetic, who knows? As far as fading out the way he does, I would assume that’s got the most to do with training. Some guys that are really muscular and have an aggressive fight style need to make sure they stop and recover for 10-15 seconds during the fight but Shogun I don’t think fits that category either. I don’t know. I’m not worried about it. I’m just going to go out there and push the pace and test his cardio.
Dan Henderson fights Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 139 on Saturday night, LIVE on PPV from UFC® 139 Live on Pay-Per-View from the CAHP Pavilion, in San Jose, California.