Issue 103

July 2013

History has never meant much to Dan Henderson, one of MMA’s most decorated competitors. But winning has…

Legacy is something Dan Henderson has plenty of, he just doesn’t care much for it. He’s earned Pride championships in two weights and a Strikeforce belt, but in 2007 and 2008 attempts he failed to snare a UFC title. To achieve one would be historic – no one in MMA has ever won titles in three of the sport’s top-tier promotions. And he was just weeks from a 2012 attempt at possessing MMA’s brightest shining trophy case until a knee injury scratched him from a tilt for Jon Jones’ 205lb strap.

But whenever press asked Henderson, now 29-9, about sealing such a shining history – whether before his never-to-be Jones challenge, prior to a February 2013 title eliminator, or even today – his opinion has been the same: it doesn’t matter. Nor did it six years ago when Henderson spoke exclusively to Fighters Only for the July 2007 issue.

At the time, ‘Hollywood’ (as he was known in Japan) was still basking in his title-winning knockout of Wanderlei Silva at Pride 33 in February that year. He was also eyeing new opponent opportunities; Pride having recently been bought by the UFC-owning Fertittas, a transfer from the Pride ring to the UFC cage looked imminent. 

Certainly, attaining the same status as his new UFC counterparts in the US didn’t concern the former Olympic wrestler. “It doesn’t bother me much, other than the fact I don’t know if that translates to dollars that I could make here. I’m not in it for the notoriety, but I am in it for financial stability for my family. That makes a difference; it’s more of a popularity contest than who you beat.”

Any present or past disinterest in the status of his legend doesn’t equate to a lack of desire to become UFC champion, however. In 2007 part of that was down to pride, both intangible and concrete. 

Henderson admitted: “I would like to represent Pride and fight the UFC’s champion at 205lb... I wouldn’t be asking for it if I didn’t think I could come out on top and if it wouldn’t better my career. I’m asking to be able to do that in order to win and make a lot of money doing it.”

It likely wasn’t legacy that put Henderson in the cage with his 205lb (against ‘Rampage’ Jackson) and 183lb (against Anderson Silva) Pride silver on the line. Rather the desire to test himself, and earn cash doing it.

Ironically, one of the men whose praises Henderson sung in his 2007 Fighters Only interview will be his next test: Rashad Evans.

“I think he’s tough; he’s doing the right things in his training to improve and stay on top,” Hendo said of the TUF graduate wrestler who’d be hoisting the UFC light heavyweight belt only 18 months later. “The sport’s getting that much tougher, and he’s doing what he needs to do to get on top – stay on top I should say. He is already one of the top guys, but I think he’s going to have the chance to be one of the top guys in the near future.”

It takes one to know one.

NOSTRADAMMAUS: 

TUF IS TOPS

Sure, The Ultimate Fighter has seen some renovation work of late, but primarily that only started with the 15th season, when the show went from prerecorded to live. Its frat-boy reality show format was very successful for six years. Why? Because it was effective, as we noted in our July 2007 issue appraisal of MMA television content. “Masterfully edited and put together as usual, TUF seems to have really found the perfect mixture of drama, silliness, serious training and fighting.”

Elsewhere in the July 2007 issue

REEFER MADNESS?

From positive test suspensions for everyone from Nick Diaz to Matt Riddle to Dave Herman it seems like, today, MMA’s most controversial contraband is marijuana. Just as he does today, UFC commentator, Joe Rogan, advocated it when speaking exclusively to Fighters Only in the July 2007 issue. “To argue that marijuana should be illegal, that’s ridiculous. No one is testing fighters for cigarettes. If you’ve had a hard day of training and you get home and you’re tired and want to smoke a joint and watch TV, what is wrong with that?”

FIGHTING IRISH

With the current surging UFC success of Irish fighters both Northern and Republic, such as Conor McGregor and Norman Parke, you’ll be unsurprised to hear Fighters Only spotted this trend some time ago. Back in 2007, ahead of UFC 72 in Belfast, FO sponsored Northern Irish undercard heroes Colin Robinson and Stevie Lynch and made mention of it in the July 2007 issue. Eagle-eyed MMA fans will spot pioneering Irish fighters like Rodney Moore and Greg Loughran in the page’s group shot too.

WANNA PLAY CATCH?

Heavyweight Josh Barnett’s recent Strikeforce grand prix success has helped his catch wrestling base enjoy a somewhat revived profile of late. FO was several years ahead of the popular curve, however, discussing the history of the British-born submission grappling art and its place in modern MMA in a four-page feature.