Issue 084

January 2012

‘Hendo’ has excelled at every level of combative competition. FO examines the accomplishments of a man still fighting strong into his 40s

NEED TO KNOW

NAME Dan Henderson

AGE 41

STARTED 1997 

DIVISION Middleweight, light heavyweight

STYLE Wrestling

Based Temecula, California

RECORD 28-8, 1NC

13 (T)KOs (46.4%)

2 Subs (7.2%)

13 Decisions (46.4%)

Burly Golden State wrestler Dan Henderson has fought for major promotions in Japan and the United States, defeating legends in multiple weight classes. One of those individuals who seems born to compete, Henderson is physically gifted on a level that we usually only ever see in comic books, often taking on and smashing opponents with a significant size advantage.

Raised on a ranch in California, his father got him into wrestling when he was just five years old. Dan showed signs of exceptional ability from an early age, winning the children’s nationals. Going on to wrestle for Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University, Henderson’s skill and dedication earned him a place on the ’92 and ‘96 US Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling teams. He took 10th and 12th place respectively and, in 1997, he began training in mixed martial arts with the RAW (Real American Wrestling) team. 

‘Hendo’ went undefeated in the first three years of his pro MMA career before his momentum was halted by Wanderlei Silva at Pride 12 with a decision loss. Not one to be kept down, his power and elite-level grappling skills saw him right back on the winning side of things, as in the following years he racked up victories over legends like Renzo Gracie and Vitor Belfort, even avenging his loss to ‘The Axe Murderer’ at the penultimate Pride event in 2007, and winning the promotion’s 205lb belt in the process to accompany ownership of the 183lb title.

Henderson is a founding member and head coach of Team Quest, which he originally started with Randy Couture in 1999. One of the most highly regarded camps in MMA, over the years it has been responsible for names like Chael Sonnen, ‘Mayhem’ Miller, Ryo Chonan and Matt Lindland.

After a successful run in Strikeforce that saw him claim his third MMA championship belt and knock out Fedor Emelianenko, Henderson has again returned to the UFC after a 2007–2009 stint where he went 3-2 but failed in two title challenges. With 13 (T)KO victories, the heavy-handed ‘Hendo’ can never be counted out no matter the opponent.

H-BOMB

Dan Henderson’s overhand right, dubbed the ‘H-bomb’ by Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo, is a feared and devastating strike. The Californian’s rocket-powered right hand has won awards both in and out of the cage, earning him the ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonus when he brutally KO’d his rival TUF coach from across the pond, Michael Bisping. The same finish was also voted the Fighters Only World MMA Awards’ ‘Knockout of the Year’ in 2009.

AGE DEFYING

Hendo comes from that lineage of old-school American wrestlers, along with guys like Randy Couture, who seem completely immune to the effects of aging. At 41 years old, Dan is fighting top-level competition and is showing no signs of slowing down, while almost every other fighter his age has said ‘Hello’ to Hollywood or opted to work on a farm.

DECORATED

Whenever a commentator speaks the name Dan Henderson, more often than not they will follow it with some variation of the phrase, “the most decorated fighter in MMA.” Winner of three major championships and four tournaments, along with his numerous wrestling accolades, Henderson’s accomplishments in combat sports solidify his place as one of the world’s greatest fighters.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

1997

Makes his professional MMA debut on June 15th. He only fights one night that year, finishing two opponents in the same night to win the Brazil Open lightweight tournament.

1998

Hendo has his first taste of UFC competition, again defeating two opponents in the same night, including a split decision win over Carlos Newton, and wins the UFC 17 middleweight tournament.

2000

Wins the King of Kings tournament before suffering the first loss of his professional MMA career to Wanderlei Silva, via unanimous decision.

2007

Henderson avenges his loss to ‘The Axe Murderer,’ KO’ing the Brazilian brawler to win the Pride middleweight championship (205lb). Returns to the Octagon for the third time at UFC 75 for a title unification bout with light heavyweight champ ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Loses via unanimous decision.