Issue 027

July 2007

Dan Henderson doesn't mince words: "I would like to represent Pride and fight the UFC's champion at 205lbs". A champion in Japanese promotion Pride at both 205lbs and 185lbs, the former Olympic wrestler is very frank about what he wants, and in his position, why shouldn't he be? "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", he says.

If you're thinking Henderson is being presumptuous by thinking he can walk into the UFC and take on their number one fighter, you're wrong. Henderson is maybe the fighter right now. He is only the second person to hold world titles in two different weight classes in a major promotion (with his former teammate Randy Couture being the first), and he is the only person to ever hold them simultaneously.

He took his first title, that of Pride 'welterweight' champion (Pride has always called 185lb fighters welterweight) on Dec 31st 2005, by defeating former UFC middleweight champ Murillo Bustamante. In what was considered a shock ending, Henderson snatched his second title from feared Brazilian brawler Wanderlei Silva. The two had met once before, with Henderson losing a close decision but giving Silva the fight of his life. In February of this year, he spectacularly KO'd the 'middleweight' (205lb) titleholder with a huge left hook ("It was about as perfect as I could get") which put the second strap around his waist.

As if two belts weren't enough, he's now eyeing up his third. "I would like to fight for the belt; that would be the fight that I would want. But who knows what's going to happen? We're gonna have to wait and see what happens when the Pride / UFC thing is finally finalized." Henderson's problem right now is the same that affects all fighters on the Pride roster. No one knows what is going on. The fanfare and pomp that surrounded the supposed sale of Pride to the owners of the UFC has disappeared amid rumours that the sale was nowhere near as straightforward as it appeared, but this doesn't bother him too much. "I don't really think it matters a whole lot, the Fertittas want me to fight - if they do, if I'm allowed to fight against a guy in the UFC, that's a whole new deal anyway. I think it's just a matter of me signing over, committing to being there, then we'll work out all the details later".

As we see more and more former-Pride fighters entering the UFC and the pitfalls that await them should they neglect to prepare themselves properly, Henderson affirmed he wouldn't be one of those guys caught out by the different rule structure. "I would have to make some serious adjustments and if I focus my training to adjust for those rule differences, elbows and with the cage. I've been fighting Pride rules for such a long time there are some adjustments that we'd have to make if I got invited into the Octagon in the UFC".

As much as he is looking forward to getting stuck into fighting in his home country (Henderson has fought only twice in the USA since 1998) he doesn't want to stop competing in Japan. "I love the fans over there; they are very knowledgeable, very respectful, never get any booing, that's probably one thing I value the most. They love the fighters, win or lose, as long as they're trying hard and fight hard".

With his last two fights taking place in Las Vegas and broadcast on Fox Sports he has noticed a marked rise in popularity, but for now he's not bothered about reaching the level of fame the top UFC fighters enjoy. "It doesn't bother me that much, other than the fact that 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 can beat, but I'm looking forward to the marketing team that we're getting involved with and hopefully, they can make Pride well known here, just like the UFC is".

The uncertain situation with Pride's sale means that for now Henderson is in limbo. Until he receives word on his position with Pride it is difficult for him to prepare for the future. In the meantime, he spends his time in the gym working with his teammates at Team Quest California. One of the original members of TQ, Henderson heads up the Californian branch of the team that currently houses some of MMA's hottest prospects. "One of the toughest ones is Sokoudjou, he's from Cameroon; really good judo background and a really good striker. Jason 'Mayhem' Miller is in there everyday and I've got a number of up-and-coming guys".

Although the gym enjoys expert coachingfrom Shawn Tomkins (striking coach) and Dr Ryan Parsons (exercise and nutrition), Henderson actually leads many of the MMA training sessions himself, and he expects an Olympic-level work ethic from anyone who wants to get on the team. There is practice every day, twice a day sometimes, and all of our team guys are required to be there, everyday. If they are not going to be there that often, we're not going to waste our time with them if they are not going to commit to us. I think with that attitude, we've come a long ways".

They say you're only as good as the people you train with, and Henderson has got plenty of people to help him along. "Guys in the IFL, they're down there full time. The Anacondas are pretty much using our gym as home base, we've got a pretty full room the whole time and we're real selective about who we let in now. I would say that it's the best training situation in the world".

"I honestly believe I'm a tough fight for almost anybody I fight", he says. Indeed, with his track record of fighting against far-bigger opponents in Pride (until 2005 Pride had no division for lighter weights, so Henderson fought against heavyweights) facing fighters of his own size presents no obstacle ("I guess size doesn't really matter that much regardless of what all those women say", he jokes).

The UFC light heavyweight division has taken an interesting turn of late. This interview was conducted shortly prior to Liddell vs. Rampage, but Henderson is eyeing up both men with equal interest. "A fight with Chuck would be great and I think the fans would buy it. We've both got great chins, we both hit pretty hard, we both have wrestling backgrounds... I think it's an interesting fight for sure".

Regarding a fight with Jackson, Henderson feels that while Quinton is very explosive with his takedowns and good on his feet, he makes a lot of mistakes. "That would be the difference, you can't make those mistakes at that level". The other light heavyweight clash that is drawing attention is that of Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz, a fight Henderson will again be watching closely. Surprisingly, his thoughts on these men indicate who he thinks will come out on top. On a fight with Tito, Henderson sees no threat. "Even though he's a little bit bigger,technically as a wrestler, he's not the same level. Submissions, we're probably similar, but I think I hit a lot harder".

"Rashad is a real good wrestler and has been working hard on his striking and submissions, I think he's tough; he's doing the right things in his training to improve and stay on top. The sport's getting that much tougher, and he's doing what he needs to do to stay on top - get 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".

Until he receives news on his contract situation with Pride, Henderson will be watching the UFC light heavyweight division very carefully..