UFC
UFC 151: Dan Henderson would love for Jon Jones to try to knock him out in Las Vegas
Aug 15, 2012 - 11:55:29 PM UFC 151: Dan Henderson would love for Jon Jones to try to knock him out in Las Vegas

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones said this week that he's been working on the power in his striking game. While assessing UFC 151 opponent Dan Henderson, he commented that he felt his challenger was one-dimensional, with the overhand right being his only weapon.

Henderson responded during Tuesday's new edition of UFC Tonight on Fuel TV, and had no problem with Jones' comments, and gave his own thoughts on Jones' belief that he may just be the one knocking Henderson out on Sept. 1.

"It must be a pretty good trick," Henderson commented. "It's kept me in the sport this long and people keep wanting to see it. It's kept me around for a long time. But it's more about positioning. TKO me? I'd love for him to try. That means he's coming after me and I won't have to chase him."

Henderson also gave his thoughts on Jones being propped up a bit by media hype, and pointed to historical precedent as to how that's worked out in the past.

"I don't know [if I've seen this type of hype before], probably not this much," Henderson said. "The sport has progressed so much and there's so much more media than there used to be, so he's benefiting from it. When Vitor [Belfort] came on, people hyped him up and said he had no weaknesses. But then Randy [Couture] beat him."

Though Jones will enter as a massive favorite, just given his history of results in title fights in the last year plus, Henderson is fine in the role he'll play in the fight, and looks forward to his opportunity next month.

"One of the biggest assets I have is my experience, my timing, my striking, my takedowns and the ability to mix it up," Henderson said. "I kind of love [people overlooking me]. I love being the underdog. I like being a little challenged. I need to step up and prove people wrong. It adds to my fire and motivates me."

Penick's Analysis: Henderson remains very confident in his own abilities, but it's still a tough task and an uphill battle ahead of him in Las Vegas next month. Jon Jones isn't just hype. The results he's posted against legitimately elite talent in the light heavyweight division can't be denied, and he's going to be out to put Henderson's head on his mantle as well. Henderson's got savvy, he's got experience, he's got power, and he's a fantastic fighter in his own right, but he may be facing a very different battle than he's ever faced before come Sept. 1. Either way, this is a fantastic title fight, and it should be a great test for both men in Las Vegas.

[Dan Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]