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View Full Version : Dan Henderson Unsigned, but Anderson Silva Rematch 'Only Fight He'd Consider at 185'



Kemal
26-08-2011, 13:01
After the expiration of his Strikeforce (http://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/) deal, current light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson (http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/dan/henderson/129/) remains unsigned, but is apparently a wanted man.

In recent days, UFC (http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc) executives including Lorenzo Fertitta have confirmed that the UFC would be interested in possibly having middleweight champ Anderson Silva (http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/anderson/silva/235/) fight on its upcoming Nov. 12 event, a show that would mark the promotion's anticipated debut on FOX. Some reports have had him potentially facing Henderson.

At this stage, however, nothing is even close to concrete, including Henderson's future. Henderson's manager Aaron Crecy told MMA Fighting that he currently remains a free agent.

"Nothing is signed," he said.

Crecy said that preliminary talks have just begun a few days ago after Henderson returned from vacation. According to Crecy, since defeating Fedor Emelianenko (http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/fedor/emelianenko/705/) on July 30, Henderson hasn't spent much time thinking about his next home.

That said, Henderson is open to a possible UFC overture, including one as big as headlining the first-ever UFC network TV card. The prospective fight would still depend on a few things, including Silva winning, coming out healthy, and having a willingness to fight again just over two months later. Along with that, Henderson would have to be signed to a UFC deal, something he would clearly consider.

"He's open to going back," Crecy said. "And to face Anderson, that's probably the only fight he'd consider at 185. If they offered it, I'm sure he'd accept that, but that's my own opinion."

Henderson (28-8) turned 41 on Wednesday. In his Strikeforce tenure, he went 3-1, defeating Emelianenko, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante and Renato Sobral (http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/renato/sobral/246/) while losing only to Jake Shields (http://www.mmafighting.com/fighter/jake/shields/1202/). Altogether, he's won six of his last seven.

Back in March 2008, Henderson and Silva faced off in a UFC champion vs. PRIDE champion matchup. Henderson had his moments in the first round, but Silva emerged victorious with a second-round rear naked choke.

Henderson's place in the annals of MMA (http://www.mmafighting.com/) history may already be safe, but he still finds motivation in challenges, and Silva would certainly present a challenge.

"At this point of his career, he just wants to have good, big fights," Crecy said.

R.H.
26-08-2011, 20:02
White opens up talk of Silva v GSP or Silva v Jon Jones
ESPN staff
August 26, 2011« QPR have bid for SWP accepted (http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/107913.html) | Milan finalise Aquilani loan » (http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/107916.html)


Anderson Silva wants big fights before he retires from the UFC in a couple of years' time © Getty Images





Dana White has ruled out the possibility of Anderson Silva (http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/player/7431.html) appearing on the FOX headliner in November, but hinted the Brazilian could be heading for a super-fight with either Georges St-Pierre or Jon Jones.
Silva takes on Yushin Okami at UFC 134 this weekend, knowing victory opens up a catalogue of options for future opponents. Most likely is that Silva would rematch Chael Sonnen, if the American can beat Brian Stann at UFC 136. Silva also has the likes of Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort hunting him down.
However, rumours had circulated earlier in the week that the middleweight champion could face Strikeforce 205lb champ Dan Henderson in November. UFC president Dana White has since ruled out that possibility on the basis of the date, although Henderson does remain an option as a future opponent.
More importantly, the options of a super-fight involving welterweight champion St-Pierre or light-heavyweight king Jones are both on the cards, and White admits Silva is desperate to cram big fights into the end of his career before he retires.
"Anderson wants big fights, and he doesn't know how much longer he's going to fight," White said to MMA Junkie. "But he wants big fights. He wants fights that are going to mean something."Those are a couple that would mean something."