The UFC will open 2009 in Dublin, Ireland, the promotion announced Tuesday.
“This is the fight my fans have wanted for a long time now, and they want to see me fight Rich Franklin,” said Henderson in a news release. “I think this will be a great fight for Ireland. It definitely will be exciting because we both like to stand and bang, and we both have knockout power. I’m excited to go to Ireland and to take on Rich; I think he’s a tough opponent and a huge challenge, but I don’t see myself losing to him.”
Henderson had been competing at 185 pounds since returning to the UFC in September 2007, though he spent much of his career fighting heavier opponents. Franklin, a former UFC middleweight champion, returned to 205 pounds last month with a win over Matt Hamill.
“Dan Henderson has great credentials, and he is going to be one of the toughest fights of my career,” Franklin said. “That being said, I’m planning on winning the fight, and I’m looking forward to fighting in the main event and fighting in Ireland. I love the fans, and the way they react by singing and chanting makes it a unique experience for me.”
Also on the card will be a rematch Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman.