Hendo vows to win title next fight, and retire

Dan Henderson’s career is so legendary that you can make a very coherent argument that he is the greatest fighter of all time. However, he is 45 years old, fighting some of the best in the world, for over 19 years. Being hit in the head for a living is not good for you, and Hendo doesn’t sound the same as he used to.

Losing teeth has a funny side.

But losing brain cells, not so much. Thus his greatest fans will be happy to hear that he plans to retire after his next fight, win or lose.

Hendo fights UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping at UFC 204. The fight is a rematch of what many consider to be the best KO in UFC history at UFC 100; Hendo won that one. Although Hendo did not strictly speaking fight his way to this title shot, and there was protest from the legitimate top-ranked contenders, Hendo has been fighting for 19 of MMA’s 23 years, so he is in a category of one. Plus, the fight will sell.

The news came out in an exclusive interview on the Talking Brawls Podcast with Niall McGrath & Petesy Carroll on SevereMMA.com.

I think it will definitely happen and I’m excited to get in there and hopefully do the same thing I did to him the last time,” said Henderson.

I think I’ve heard a number of things but I believe it could be in a stadium over there in Manchester.

I’m pretty sure it will be a pay-per-view and I’d expect that it happens relatively soon, possibly in the next couple of days. We should be able to get it figured out. I’m waiting to hear the exact date, and where but I’m almost positive it will happen, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t at this point.

That is my plan, win or lose, I’m ready mentally to retire.

My body could still probably go another two, three years more. I’ve put it through enough. I’m ready to take it a little bit easier, but still be involved in MMA doing something a little bit different than fighting

Bisping too confirmed the fight, telling Luke Thomas he will fight Hendo, and expressing his enthusiasm at the prospect of a rematch.

Hendo had a chilling warning to the champ.

Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it,” he said.

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