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[Brutus]

Irish Whip Fighting: Dan Henderson Interview (Our Second)

With his UFC 82 showdown against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world just a few short weeks away, Dan Henderson sat down with Ben Zeidler for their second interview in as many months.

Ben Zeidler: What made you consider the drop to 185?

Dan Henderson: Well, I was a little bit hesitant at first, but the more I thought about it and the more I talked to Dana, I realized how excited I was for this fight. Dana wanted me to drop down for a while too so it made sense. Anderson Silva is a big challenge for me and these are the kind of fights I like to take.

Ben Zeidler: Win or lose, do you think you would ever go back up to 205?

Dan Henderson: I'll be staying at 185 for a while but I definitely have plans to go back to 205 at some point in my career.

Ben Zeidler: The Rampage fight was a close one, and many still have you ranked #2 at 205. What would you do differently if you got another shot at that title?

Dan Henderson: I would definitely be a little more aggressive on my feet and on top. I definitely think I made some mistakes and I'm still making adjustments to fix what I did wrong and get used to the cage. I can tell you that I wouldn't lost to him again.

Ben Zeidler: What are some of the difficulties of the cage?

Dan Henderson: You just have to get used to it. You know, I tripped once or twice just because I'm just used to having some give with the ropes. With the ropes, you can't press your feet up against them when you're standing up. Little things make the difference in there. On the ground, I'm not to being able to use it walk up. So I'll work on that and I'll be fine by the time March 1st comes along.

Ben Zeidler: How do you see yourself matching up to Anderson Silva? Do you see him as a good match up for you?

Dan Henderson: Yeah, I think for sure that I'm a bad match up for him. His strength is his striking and he's technical, but he likes to get into that clinch which is another strength of his. But he's never fought anyone like me in that clinch and he won't be used to that.

Ben Zeidler: Are you saying that you WANT to be in Anderson Silva's clinch?

Dan Henderson: Yep, that's where I want to be. That's my home.

Ben Zeidler: How is your training going for the fight? What specifically are you working on?

Dan Henderson: Training is good. Nothing too special as far as training, Silva is a well rounded fighter. I want to work on my hands and keeping them going, but nothing too specific. I'm getting some southpaws in to spar with me, but that's about it.

Ben Zeidler: Many consider the MW division to be easier than the LHW. Do you see this as being true?

Dan Henderson: I don't necessarily believe it's an easier division. There are some studs out there and Silva is one of them. People expect it to be a walk in the park for but size doesn't matter. It all has to do with how technical you are and how good at fighting you are. Mental toughness is a big part of it too. Silva will be tough and he's proven that he can knock some guys out and beat some guys that a lot of people thought should have beaten him.

Ben Zeidler: Who do you see as the best guys at 185?

Dan Henderson: Well, there's...I dont know, there's quite a few and Silva has beat most of them already. I can't think of any right now.

Ben Zeidler: You left Team Quest a little while ago to open up your own place. How is new facility going?

Dan Henderson: Well actually, I'm still technically with Team Quest. Randy is the one who left. I opened up another Team Quest gym in California. We have a great training situation with lots of fighters and organized practices. We've got great strikers, great wrestlers, and great jiu-jitsu guys. Everyone contributes knowledge, we work on technique and it's just great. Matt and I still own Team Quest together and we're looking on opening more gyms soon.

Ben Zeidler: Well, you should think about the East Coast. I'm out of Philadelphia and all we have are second-rate Action Karate places.

Dan Henderson: (Laughs) All right then, I'll remember that.

Ben Zeidler: Any sponsors you'd like to thank? Do you have a website?

Dan Henderson: Team Quest at teamquestmma.com. I just started my clothing line, Clinch Gear so that's at clinch gear.com and danhenderson.com.

Ben Zeidler: Anything to say to your fans?

Dan Henderson: Hopefully I'll give you a great show on March 1st. Thanks for all the support.

I think it will be interesting to see what Hendo can do inside that clinch. I know he loves to be inside but Anderson is dangerous no matter who is in the cage w/ him.

[Buggedoutnicy]

i dont see anderson silva winning this fight

dan's clinch > anderson's

i jus believe dan got the tools to at least win a decision

[TheDirtySis]

Originally Posted by The Sundance Kid

IMO Dan's Clinch is better than Anderson's.

Dan's right, he's a bad match up for Silva.

Dan should take this fight IMO.

Ditto.

[jlruthven84]

Fuckin' A, and WAR Hendo.

[baba]

This is a tough call as I'm a huge fan of both fighters. I believe there's a difference between a wrestling clinch and a Muay Thai clinch too.

Strength goes to Dan. Anderson is just such an amazing and agile striker though. Really looking forward to this one. Whoever wins this is undisputed #1 at 185.

[rugoatee]

I think Anderson will open as a slight favorite and I am going to jump all over Hendo at even money or better. I think hendo punishes A Silva in this one. Hendo is an all around nightmare match up for A Silva. Book it.

[Ramma]

I see this fight ending in a KO.. I don't know why.. it should end in a decision with Hendo as the winner... but I am feeling a KO finish in round 2 or 3.

[nWo4life]

I don't know if this is wise by Hendo... I mean, so many great fighters have already fallen to Silva's Muay Thai.. Leben, Franklin twice, Marquardt... When they got close, none of them stood a chance against Anderson.

I like both Silva and Hendo, and I think that if there is anybody that can beat Silva, or at least give Silva a run for his title, it should be Hendo. And actually, when I look at UFC's MW division, I can hope for them that Henderson is going to win the title, because he hasn't faced many UFC top MW contenders, and Silva already has. Henderson has more options left to make an interesting title fight.

But I don't know if he can stay unhurt in Silva's clinch. He may not have been knocked out before, but if your nose is as crooked as Franklin his nose was after his two fights with Anderson, the fight may not last much longer at all.

[kc56]

I'm taking Anderson in this one. I don't think that strength will be quite as lopsided as everyone thinks it will be.

War Silva!!

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by nWo4life

I don't know if this is wise by Hendo... I mean, so many great fighters have already fallen to Silva's Muay Thai.. Leben, Franklin twice, Marquardt... When they got close, none of them stood a chance against Anderson.
But I don't know if he can stay unhurt in Silva's clinch. He may not have been knocked out before, but if your nose is as crooked as Franklin his nose was after his two fights with Anderson, the fight may not last much longer at all.

Big difference between Leben, Franklin, and Marquardt.. Dan is a master at the Greco Roman clinch and they are not even close to that...

Greco Roman clinch can be a bad match up for the Muay Thai clinch (and that is coming from a Muay Thai student who has worked with both clinches).

In all honesty, Silva should stay away from the clinch and pick Hendo apart with strikes. That is his best shot at winning. Once he wears Hendo down, maybe he should get into the clinch then.