November 17, 2011 – Dan Henderson, former PRIDE champion in 2 divisions, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix winner. Both former stars in Japan who fought in the Pride FC organization together from 2003 until the UFC acquired the world’s most spectacular promotion in early 2007.
It’s a wonder their paths never crossed then but all that changes when the two finally collide in San Jose at UFC 139 this coming weekend. With a potential title shot on the line for the winner against Jon “Bones” Jones, this may be a bigger fight than ever considering it may be happening almost four years later than it would have in a different world.
““I came very close to fighting Henderson in PRIDE, on two occasions. But these fights never happened,” recalled Shogun about their time together in the former Mecca of the MMA universe. The two walked different paths with both accomplish much, including titles. Now they stand in each other’s way as both chase the glory of a championship once again.
Heading into Saturday, both recognize the magnitude of the main event and head into the fight with respect all the while knowing they’re going to throw caution to the wind and come forward in their respective styles no matter what ramifications lay on the other side. Title shot or not, this fight will probably look much like it would have in 2007.
“This is a marquee fight for me – a very important fight. Dan Henderson is a legend in MMA, he was a two-weight champion of PRIDE, and a champion of STRIKEFORCE. He’s a guy with a big history in the sport and this fight means a lot to me. My main goal is to win the belt back, but you have to focus yourself on someone like Dan Henderson 100 percent when you fight him. So I am not thinking about the belt right now other than I need to win this fight to get to the belt.
If he’s to succeed in that quest, Shogun will have to work on getting around the tenacious attributes “Hendo” has going for him in the cage. While he does have an Olympic wrestling pedigree, we’re talking more about his game planning ability and even more so, that monstrous right hand. Be that as it may, Shogun looks to rely on what’s gotten him to the dance before with his own aggression plus an added advantage in speed. He fully intends on beating the 41 year old Henderson to the punch.
“I have worked a lot on speed. I beat Forrest Griffin with speed and I think speed will be the difference in this fight at UFC 139. I will press forward against Henderson. It is my style, I have always fought this way, the fans love it and I am very successful with it. If I go forward, I can’t see myself losing this fight.”
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