Kemal
30-01-2016, 06:17
UFC on FOX 19 keeps growing with rematch between Dan Henderson, Lyoto Machida
Two former world champions are the latest addition to the rapidly filling UFC on FOX 19 fight card.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (22-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) and former two-division PRIDE champ and former Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson (31-14 MMA, 8-8 UFC) will meet at the April 16 event in what is reported to be Tampa, Fla.
Brazilian MMA website Combate first reported the matchup, and MMAjunkie confirmed it with a source close to one of the fighters, who asked to remain anonymous because he wasn’t allowed to publicly discuss the matchup.
UFC on FOX 19’s main card airs live on FOX following prelims expected to air on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. Machida vs. Henderson is expected to serve on the main card, though it’s unknown where the matchup will be placed.
The fighters first met at UFC 157 in February 2013 as the co-main event for Ronda Rousey’s UFC debut. Machida won that fight by split decision.
At 37 and 45, respectively, Machida and Henderson are nearing the tail end of their careers, which have been marked by more frequent setbacks and calls for retirement. Both are 1-3 in their past four appearances, with Henderson 2-6 in his past eight outings, and each was viciously knocked out in his most recent fight.
Despite this, Henderson said he’s not in any rush to hang up his gloves, and as of this past summer, Machida said he’s soldiering on. Although the two have a long way to go before they’re in title contention, their presence adds more star power to UFC on FOX 19, which already features a bevy of big fights. Ex-champs Rashad Evans and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua are confirmed for the card, as are top lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
As MMAjunkie previously reported, the UFC offered Machida a meeting with Tim Kennedy, but a military teaching job forced Kennedy to turn down the fight.
The latest UFC on FOX 19 card now includes:
Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Rashad Evans vs. Mauricio Rua
Michael Chiesa vs. Beneil Dariush
Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida
Bethe Correia vs. Raquel Pennington
Two former world champions are the latest addition to the rapidly filling UFC on FOX 19 fight card.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (22-7 MMA, 14-7 UFC) and former two-division PRIDE champ and former Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson (31-14 MMA, 8-8 UFC) will meet at the April 16 event in what is reported to be Tampa, Fla.
Brazilian MMA website Combate first reported the matchup, and MMAjunkie confirmed it with a source close to one of the fighters, who asked to remain anonymous because he wasn’t allowed to publicly discuss the matchup.
UFC on FOX 19’s main card airs live on FOX following prelims expected to air on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. Machida vs. Henderson is expected to serve on the main card, though it’s unknown where the matchup will be placed.
The fighters first met at UFC 157 in February 2013 as the co-main event for Ronda Rousey’s UFC debut. Machida won that fight by split decision.
At 37 and 45, respectively, Machida and Henderson are nearing the tail end of their careers, which have been marked by more frequent setbacks and calls for retirement. Both are 1-3 in their past four appearances, with Henderson 2-6 in his past eight outings, and each was viciously knocked out in his most recent fight.
Despite this, Henderson said he’s not in any rush to hang up his gloves, and as of this past summer, Machida said he’s soldiering on. Although the two have a long way to go before they’re in title contention, their presence adds more star power to UFC on FOX 19, which already features a bevy of big fights. Ex-champs Rashad Evans and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua are confirmed for the card, as are top lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
As MMAjunkie previously reported, the UFC offered Machida a meeting with Tim Kennedy, but a military teaching job forced Kennedy to turn down the fight.
The latest UFC on FOX 19 card now includes:
Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Rashad Evans vs. Mauricio Rua
Michael Chiesa vs. Beneil Dariush
Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida
Bethe Correia vs. Raquel Pennington