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Fighter Profile: Dan Henderson

 

Dan Henderson Strikeforce Overall Record: 26-8

Strikeforce Record: 1-1

UFC Record: 5-2

PRIDE Record: 13-5

Hometown: Temecula, CA

Height: 6’1” Weight: 185

Age: 38



Dan “Hollywood” Henderson is a former Olympic wrestler turned mixed-martial artist fighting for the UFC in the middleweight division. He is also the owner of Team Quest, an MMA training center located in Oregon and California. At Team Quest he trains with notable fighters Thierry Sokoudjou, Jason Miller and Matt Lindland.

Before beginning his MMA career, Henderson wrestled at both Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University. He also represented the United States at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.

After his amateur wrestling career came to an end Henderson began fighting professionally in 1997 at the Brazil Open. He swept the tournament with two TKO wins against Crezio de Souza and Eric Smith.

The next year, Henderson competed in the UFC 17 middleweight tournament. He went on to earn hard-fought decision wins against Brazilian Allan Goes and Canadian Carlos Newton to become the UFC middleweight champion. He got off to a fast start in his MMA career by winning two tournaments and four bouts in all.

Dan Henderson Merchandise:

The next stop was for the Japanese-based Rings promotion beginning in 1999. He won five straight bouts spanning four months and eventually winning the Rings “King of Kings” tournament. In the tournament, Henderson handled notable fighters Gilbert Yvel, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renato Sobral.

After winning three separate tournaments, Henderson stayed in Japan signing with PRIDE FC late in 2000. He fought many established fighters in PRIDE on his way to a 13-5 record over the course of six-plus years. Some of his biggest wins came in PRIDE with wins over Renzo Gracie, Akihiro Gono and Kazuo Misaki.

At the end of the PRIDE Shockwave 2005 tournament Henderson defeated Murilo Bustamante for the welterweight title. Two years later he knocked out Wanderlei Silva at PRIDE 33 to capture the middleweight title as well.

After his upset victory against Wanderlei Silva, PRIDE was on shaky ground until it was bought by Zuffa, LLC later in 2007. Henderson went down as the final welterweight and middleweight champion in PRIDE history.

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When Zuffa, LLC bought PRIDE many of the prominent fighters’ contracts were purchased as well. Henderson was included, returning to the organization for the first time since 1998 when he won the UFC 17 tournament.

“Hollywood’s” first bout in his return to the UFC was a light heavyweight title shot opposite another PRIDE vet Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The UFC 75 “Champion vs. Champion” bout went the distance but finished with Jackson earning the unanimous decision victory.

Another UFC title shot followed for Henderson, this time against middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 82 “Pride of a Champion.” Henderson was overwhelmed against Silva for two rounds before succumbing to a rear naked choke late in the 2nd round.

Losing back-to-back fights for only the second time in his career, Henderson needed a UFC win to stay at the top of the middleweight division. He would produce a critical win at UFC 88 against Brazilian Rousimar Palhares with a unanimous decision in September of 2008. He would put back-to-back wins together after a UFC 93 bout against former middleweight champion Rich Franklin.

The win over Franklin not only solidified Henderson as a contender again but also gave him the opportunity to coach Team USA in “The Ultimate Fighter: Season 9” against Team UK, coached by top-contender Michael Bisping. The two will meet at the conclusion of the show at UFC 100 in Las Vegas on July 11th. The winner will get the next crack at the middleweight belt.

Henderson has established himself as one of America’s best fighters in the modern-day era of MMA. Even at the age of 38, Henderson doesn’t seem to be slowing down, instead looking better in each of his last two fights. He also holds the distinction as having an iron-chin, never being knocked out in over 12 years and 30 fights.

 

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By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published June 2009, Update February 2011