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**HitOrGetHit** · 12-22-2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Dan Henderson (29-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is "perfectly fine" playing second fiddle at UFC 157.

The veteran fighter and de facto top light-heavyweight contender meets former champ Lyoto Machida (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in the co-headliner of the February event.

In the headlining spot is the UFC's first-ever women's fight: newly crowned bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Liz Carmouche (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC).

The event takes place Feb. 23 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and the main card airs on pay-per-view.

Henderson's tweet follows complaints, including some from his striking coach, Gustavo Pugliese, that the big-show veterans should have taken top billing over the women. Henderson, though, suggested he's fine in his co-headlining slot.

"I am perfectly fine as the co-main (event)," Henderson tweeted on Friday. "I will get to relax and enjoy the women go at it."

If anyone's had a reason to complain, it's Henderson. After a knee injury forced him out of planned UFC 151 title fight with champ Jon Jones, the UFC largely blamed him for the event's cancellation. Vitor Belfort then got the next shot at Jones, and after defending his title, "Bones" took a head coaching slot on the soon-to-debut 17th season of "The Ultimate Fighter." But rather than Henderson, it was Chael Sonnen, who failed in a middleweight title bid this summer, who was given the other coaching slot. He'll also fight Jones in a PPV event following the show's conclusion.

So that left Henderson with Machida. Officials, in fact, won't even confirm Henderson will get a title shot if victorious, and instead, they've dubbed it the bout a "likely" title eliminator.

Despite the uncertain status of his title aspirations, Henderson looks for his fifth straight win and his eighth victory in his past nine fights. After a title reign in Strikeforce and a return to the UFC, Henderson topped Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in a "Fight of the Year" performance at UFC 139 a year ago. It remains his most recent performance.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2012/1...ng-top-billing

**TheLyotoLegion** · 12-22-2012, 03:49 PM

Of course he is, he'd gas for sure in a five rounder against Machida, in a three rounder his chances are much better.

**SM33** · 12-22-2012, 04:09 PM

No one cares if he's not fine with it, it'll happen regardless of what Hendo thinks. Title fights headline, women or men.

**BrianRClover** · 12-23-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SM33

No one cares if he's not fine with it, it'll happen regardless of what Hendo thinks. Title fights headline, women or men.

I think this is Hendo doing a little "damage" control. So often, including badly around here, people completely skip the line that says FIGTHER A's coach said this, and just associate it with the fighter himself... see Ed Soares.

He knows it's not up to him, he's just saying his coaches opinion doesn't reflect his.

Joabbuac · 12-23-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianRClover

I think this is Hendo doing a little "damage" control. So often, including badly around here, people completely skip the line that says FIGTHER A's coach said this, and just associate it with the fighter himself... see Ed Soares.

He knows it's not up to him, he's just saying his coaches opinion doesn't reflect his.

Yea i was about to say something like this too, people bash a fighter for shit his trainer says all the time...Henderson had not said a word on this.

**Budhisten** · 12-23-2012, 04:04 PM

Good for Hendo - no reason in complaining about something that cannot and should not be changed. Despite his coach (or whatever he was) being a douche about it