Contract Issues in the Past, Henderson Focuses on ‘Shogun’

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Following a four-fight stint with Strikeforce in which he captured the promotion’s light heavyweight title, Dan Henderson is glad to be back with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“It does feel good to realize that [the UFC] is probably where I’m going to finish my career. I’m excited about it,” said the former Pride Fighting Championships two-division titleholder during Wednesday’s UFC 139 conference call. “The fact that they’ve got a pretty big Fox deal now is even more exciting to me.”

The 41-year-old Greco-Roman specialist left the UFC on a three-fight winning streak, following victories over Rousimar Palhares, Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping. On Saturday, he will lock horns with fellow Pride veteran Mauricio Rua in the UFC 139 main event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Since suffering consecutive losses to Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva, “Hendo” has won six of his last seven bouts and looks as strong as ever heading into the matchup with Rua. The Team Quest co-founder believes he still has more to do in a career that has already spanned 36 professional fights.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot of fights left in me. I’m excited about fighting ‘Shogun,’” Henderson said. “I think it’s something the fans have been looking forward to for a long time. He’s a tough opponent -- well rounded -- and definitely a tough challenge for me to get past.”

With his return to mixed martial arts’ premier organization, there has been talk of matchups with 205-pound champion Jon Jones as well as a rematch of his UFC 82 middleweight title contest with Silva. While Henderson admits that obtaining a UFC belt is a goal of his, he realizes that nothing can be accomplished without first advancing past Rua.

“As long as I do what I need to do inside the cage, the rest will take care of itself,” he said.

Henderson has never suffered a knockout or technical knockout in his career, but his solid chin figures to be tested against Rua, who owns 17 such victories. While Henderson's 15-year streak of durability in such an unpredictable sport may appear superhuman to some, the Californian finds it less impressive.

“A loss is a loss,” Henderson said. “I guess I can get knocked out just like anybody else. I’ve been lucky not to get hit on the button during my fights.”

Though the bout will be the second non-title, five-round fight in the UFC’s history, Henderson says he likely will not alter his strategy in hopes of wearing down his foe as the main event progresses.

“I’m aggressive throughout the whole fight and always trying to finish a fight,” he said. “I don’t know if it gives me greater incentive to do anything other than make sure I stick with my game plan, try to out-strike him and just try to win every aspect of MMA.”

Henderson said his decision to leave the UFC in 2009 was “just business,” and there was never any bad blood between him and the promotion. This allowed him to reconnect with his former employer in a way that may have proved more difficult for another fighter in a similar circumstance.

“A lot of guys weren’t in the situation I was as far as having an established career. The timing worked out to where my contract was over,” he said. “I don’t burn bridges, and I had no hard feelings. It was nothing like that at all. I knew that I was worth more, and I was going to explore other options.”

Now, “Hendo” says he is content with his current contract situation and is excited to once again compete inside the Octagon.

“I wouldn’t have signed a deal if I wasn’t satisfied with it. We’re all here to get along and make some money at the same time and give some great fights to the fans. They’re happy, and I’m happy with the deal I have now.”