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Dana White: Dan Henderson is ahead of Daniel Cormier for a shot at Jon Jones

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#1 ·
Dana White: Dan Henderson is ahead of Daniel Cormier for a shot at Jon Jones

By Jesse Holland on Jan 23, 1:43p 2


Team Cormier might want to start scouting out new opponents in the UFC heavyweight division, just in case Dan Henderson beats Lyoto Machida at UFC 157 next month in Anaheim. According to UFC President Dana White, "Hendo" is next in line for a crack at the 205-pound crown.


If Daniel Cormier thinks he's going to steamroll Frank Mir at UFC on FOX 7 and drop weight classes to challenge the winner of Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 159, then he'd better be rooting for Lyoto Machida.

That's because former light heavyweight number one contender Dan Henderson, who fights "The Dragon" at UFC 157 next month at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, has first dibs on the 205-pound strap pending victory over the elusive Brazilian.

That's according to comments made by UFC President Dana White at today's UFC 158 press conference media scrum:


"I think Dan Henderson, I think he wants the Jon Jones fight. Actually, yeah (he's ahead of Cormier). He'll fight before Cormier, so yeah, he would be."
Henderson's name came up as a possible contender for reigning UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, who was left high and dry after Michael Bisping got planted at last weekend's UFC on FX 7 event in Brazil. "Hendo," a former 185 pounder, did the "Spider" dance way back at UFC 82, but came up short in the second round.

A rematch is unlikely.

That's because Henderson must first beat Machida to get his hands on Jones, who was originally scheduled to face off against the former PRIDE FC star at the ill-fated UFC 151 event last September. And if "Bones" loses? Well, all bets are off.

Meanwhile, Cormier has been campaigning for a fight against Jones for several months, one that would require the former Strikeforce Grand Prix Heavyweight Champion to go on a diet. It would also help him avoid a clash against friend and teammate, Cain Velasquez, without sacrificing a shot at UFC gold.

Then again, Frank Mir may have something to say about that on April 20 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.


http://www.mmamania.com/2013/1/23/1631442/ufc-dana-white-dan-henderson-daniel-cormier-jon-jones-mma
 
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#4 ·
Same here and I really like Lyoto. The only time I rooted against the dragon was when he fought Shogun the second time because I knew Shogun was the unofficial uncrowned champion.

But I really want to see Hendo test his skills against Jones before he retires...but that's only if Jones gets past Sonnen. :)
 
#5 ·
This is titled wrong, it should read 'Dan Henderson is ahead of Daniel Cormier for a shot at Chael Sonnen.' Simple enough mistake to make, most people are under the misconception that Bones is walking away from that fight with the belt. I forgive you.
 
#6 ·
So many good fights coming up! Honestly can't wait for Hendo vs. Machida! Props to Dan for taking the fight but I think this is gonna be a rough one for him. If Lyoto makes it out of the first round Dan is gonna start to slow down fast and get picked apart.
 
#14 ·
Man everyone wants Jones. Hendo needs to get past Lyoto first to get a crack at that belt now which may not happen. Lyoto is all wrong for Dan, and by that I mean he doesn't plod forward flat footed with his chin held high or circle into his opponents strong hand. The H bomb finds traditional strikers true enough but Machida is a different animal. Dan's gonna need his strong dentures in because he's getting kicked in them me thinks. I'll be rooting for Hendo to continue his legacy but my money is on Lyoto.

If Daniel Cormier has no issues going down to 205 I feel he'll be Bones' toughest challenge to date. The guy is the Black Emperor! I'm a little biased for sure due to him being from Louisiana but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him sporting UFC gold in the very near future.
 
#17 ·
He has a 71 inch reach....

Yes, he's got power but can he even land on Jones? I don't think so, when I see Jones/Cormier I see Jones/Rashad, except Jones might be able to finish him off late.
 
#20 ·
The fact that Dana White has to explicitly state or even think about whether a guy on a 5 fight win streak including Machida, Shogun, and Fedor is ahead of a guy with zero fights in the weight class for a title shot says everything about the current state of the UFC.
I dislike the UFC more and more every day...
 
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