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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC President Dana White has stated recently that Dan Henderson would be waiting for a shot at either the UFC's Light Heavyweight Title or Middleweight Title, believing Henderson would even take a fight with Chael Sonnen at 185 lbs. should the outspoken Oregonian defeat Anderson Silva in June.
However, in an interview with ESPN UK, Henderson said that's not the case at all, as he has no desire to face off against his former Team Quest teammate. In fact, even a fight with Silva may not happen, as he hopes to concentrate on the light heavyweight division.
"Chael lives up in Oregon but I know him real well. He was with me and Randy [Couture] when we first started our team," Henderson said. "I don't have any real desire to fight at middleweight. The only guy I'd cut weight for is Anderson Silva, win or lose that could still happen."
"But it's not high up on my list at all. Silva's the only guy I'd cut weight for. I've got the light-heavyweight thing in my mind and that's it. I'd fight Anderson Silva but I'm only interested in the UFC Light Heavyweight Title right now."
Penick's Analysis: I think White's been trying to keep the door open for Henderson to fight at middleweight because there isn't a long list of potential contenders that could step into the next Middleweight Title fight after Silva-Sonnen. The most realistic - and the biggest name - would be Michael Bisping should he defeat a top opponent in his next outing, due mainly to how he looked in a loss against Sonnen in January. But Henderson has been better and more successful at 205 lbs., and at 41 cutting weight isn't something he's necessarily thrilled to do. Ultimately, I think we'll see him take on the Jon Jones-Rashad Evans winner more than likely.
[Dan Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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