Okay, so I just watched Dan Henderson on inside MMA. I will begin with, I'm a huge Hendo fan, so I may be a little biased. But I was thinking, does anyone else's career compare to his? I'm not saying he's the GOAT or anything, but if you actually look at his career, it's unreal.
First he was a two time California state wrestling champion, all-american at Arizona State, then a two time U.S Olympian, no medals, but still a two time Olympian. Then he starts his pro MMA career. Has a couple fights, then wins the UFC 17 Middleweight tournament by beating Calos Newtom. Then wins the Rings King of Kings Tournament, knocking off Babalu, Gilbert Yvel and Big Nog.
Goes to Pride, not going to go over his Pride career, it's pretty well known. Wins the 183lb championship in Pride and beats Vitor Belfort by UD and Wanderlei Silva by brutal Hendo Hop, in back to back fights winning the LHW title in Pride. Making him the only man to hold two titles in two weight classes at once.
Comes to the UFC with the collapse of Pride, has two title fights in the UFC, granted both losses, but still against Rampage and A. Silva, not exactly bad losses. Has a close victory over Rich Franklin. Becomes a coach on TUF and gets one of the most brutal KO's I've ever seen on Michael Bisping.
Now he's going to have a title fight against Jake Shields in SF at MW and possibly another title fight at LHW against Mousasi. Did I mention Dan's 39 with 32 professional fights and he's never been knocked out.
So, he may not be the GOAT, but does anyone else have a resume quite like Dan Henderson?
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Dan had one of the most successful career's in this sport, but get's only small recognisance. He is already 39 and still fights in his prime. Look at guys like Wandy who are still younger, but already struggle a lot more then him.
Dan deserves a lot more fame and recognition! Look at guys like Randy or Tito who don't even come close at what this guy achieved, but are a lot more famous then him. The UFC thought he wasn't worth the money and let him go without a tear..
He will get a new spring after he beats Jake on CBS and his Legendary status will continue to grow.
Dan had one of the most successful career's in this sport, but get's only small recognisance. He is already 39 and still fights in his prime. Look at guys like Wandy who are still younger, but already struggle a lot more then him.
Dan deserves a lot more fame and recognition! Look at guys like Randy or Tito who don't even come close at what this guy achieved, but are a lot more famous then him. The UFC thought he wasn't worth the money and let him go without a tear..
He will get a new spring after he beats Jake on CBS and his Legendary status will continue to grow.
It bothers me sometimes that guys like Tito get this crazy hype around them when Dan only gets respect from the hardcore MMA fans. I was glad when he got that huge KO at 100 because it's got people talking about him finally. I'm not even going to get started on the UFC letting him go.....hahah
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the ufc didnt let him go. he wanted more then he is worth.
accomplishments are great but the UFC doesnt make $ off accomplishments, they make $ off of gate and PPV sales.
Hendo isnt a big draw. Blame the fans, not the UFC.
Dan may have left for more money, but he was supposed to get a rematch with Silva after he KO'd Bisping and they just gave it to Belfort when he beat Franklin at a catchweight. I think that contributed to it also.
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The one thing I always remember when I think Dan Henderson, is oddly enough, I seen an interview with Frank Shamrock once where they played word association and when they said Dan Henderson, Frank said "scary" that's all you need to know about Hendo.
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Last edited by Life B Ez : 03-20-2010 at 02:00 PM.
If Dan Henderson somehow got signed by UFC again...and then fought and beat A. Silva, he would definitely be in the top 5 of all time in my opinion. I still think Hendo is 2nd best middleweight in the world, behind Silva, at the moment.
I think, in spite of his accomplishments, Tito and Randy are more recognized because Hendo has more split decision victories than any MMA fighter I know. That means a lot of his fights could have easily gone either way. He wasn't dominant enough, he was lucky to have won all those fights.
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Dan Henderson's Career
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