Report: Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio Rua II Booked for UFC Event in March

By John Heinis on Tuesday, January 21st 2014
Report: Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio Rua II Booked for UFC Event in March

Two of the most dominant champions in Pride history will likely meet inside the Octagon one more time before they hang up the gloves in their illustrious careers.

Former Pride middleweight champion Mauricio Rua is scheduled to rematch ex-Strikeforce and Pride titleholder Dan Henderson at a yet to be named UFC event in May, according to Brazilian media outlet Tatame.

Henderson and “Shogun” fought at UFC 139 in November 2011, a bout that turned out to be an instant classic. Multiple media outlets named the bout the 2011 “Fight of the Year.”

“Hendo” won the 25-minute slugfest via unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding him the bout three rounds to two.

Shogun’s career was on a serious decline heading into his UFC Fight Night 33 bout with James Te-Huna last month, losing three of his past four fights.

However, the hard-hitting Brazilian was able to deliver a vintage performance, scoring a stunning first-round knockout in the contest.

Meanwhile, some fight fans are calling for the 43-year-old Henderson’s retirement after dropping three straight bouts to top contenders in Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort.

His loss against Belfort at UFC Fight Night 32 in November was the first time the iron-chinned American slugger had ever been knocked out in 40 professional fights.

The Team Quest co-founder’s UFC contract expired after the Belfort fight, so a loss to Rua would indefinitely lead to him being cut from the company. 

Stay In Touch

MMA
MMA
MMA
MMA
MMA
MMA