Dan Henderson Has No Interest In A Fight With Nate Marquardt
By Bryan Levick on Sep 02, 2009
Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s
Josh Gross, UFC middleweight contender, Dan Henderson gave his thoughts on the Randy Couture-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira bout and a potential fight with Nate Marquardt.
Henderson first spoke about the epic battle between the two former UFC heavyweight champions. Having fought Nogueira twice during their days with Pride and being a former training partner of Couture at Team Quest allowed Henderson to weigh in on how the fight played out.
Henderson was quite surprised at how Nogueira was able to drop Couture throughout the fight. He believes that Couture’s chin may not be what it used to be and that he got caught a little too much during the fight.
Henderson was more concerned on his won future as he witnessed Marquardt destroy the undefeated Demain Maia in spectacular fashion. Henderson is coming off his own highlight reel knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100. UFC President Dana White had insinuated that Henderson would be the next challenger to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s throne.
Now that White is balking on the idea, he was quoted as saying that both Marquardt and Henderson are in the mix. Henderson has heard the noise coming out of Silva’s camp calling for a bout between Marquardt and Henderson, a bout Henderson wants no part of at this time.
“I think I’m the one guy that poses enough dangers [to Silva] style-wise,” he said. “If I were his manager, I’d be trying not to have him fight me as well. I know that Anderson Silva is really trying not to fight me. It’s obvious.”
Henderson went on to say that if he was presented with an opportunity with Marquardt he would turn it down and instead turn his focus towards the light heavyweight division. Henderson has nothing against Marquardt, in fact he said that Nate put himself in line for a shot at the champion, but only after Henderson gets the first crack. Henderson reiterated that the only fight he wants as a middleweight is a rematch with “The Spider”.
Both Marqaurdt and Henderson have both fallen victim to Silva. Marquardt lost via first round TKO at UFC 73 and Henderson was choked out in the second round at UFC 82.
Filed Under: MMA
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Reppin it OG Hollywood, now that’s my dawg!!!!
Dana needs to make up his freakin mind. I am definitely on Hendo’s side with this one. He deserves it way more, he came into the UFC with two titles and put on a great performance on both champs even though they were losses. Nate came in with a title but just 1 and I’m not saying anything bad about Nate but Hendo’s Pride titles are way higher ranked than a King of Pancrase title. Hendo proves he has the answer to Anderson Silva, he just has to work on a few flaws that are keeping him from the title. I believe he has the right to get the first shot and to not accept a bout with Nate.
And anyone thinking about saying he’s ducking Nate is an ass. Just look at his past accomplishments and the fact that he’d rather go LHW than fight Nate shows he wants to take a big challenge.
Give them each a shot. Henderson first and then Marquardt. I doubt either will win, unfortunately.
Dan deserves the nod, but Dana will jerk him around.