Dan Henderson: 5 Defining Moments

Generations from now, combat sports aficionados will talk about a handful of MMA legends. Dan Henderson will be one of them. Still the only fighter to simultaneously hold major mixed martial arts championships in two divisions, Henderson has carved out a legacy that will stand the test of time. The 45-year-old Downey, California, native will look to add to his lengthy list of historic exploits at UFC 204 on Oct. 8, when he challenges Michael Bisping for the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight crown. There, Henderson will attempt to become the first mixed martial artist in history to win titles in Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce and the UFC. Even if he were to fail in his bid, “Hendo” can rest easy at night. Victories over a litany of contemporaries, MMA stars and fellow all-time greats — Bisping, Mauricio Rua (twice), Fedor Emelianenko, Rich Franklin, Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante (twice), Renato Sobral and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira — leave him a with a resume few can match. In a career with plenty of defining moments, here are five that stand out:1. Double Take No one inspired fear and wonder within Pride Fighting Championships quite like Silva. Though he grew more susceptible to knockouts as the years passed and the miles accumulated on his body, there was a time when “The Axe Murderer” was virtually unbeatable; and despite a head kick knockout loss to Mirko Filipovic in the 2006 Pride open weight grand prix semifinals a few months prior, Silva was still a dominant force when he put his 205-pound title on the line against Henderson at Pride 33 on Feb. 24, 2007. However, “Hendo” flattened the Brazilian in the third round, leaving some to wonder whether or not Silva’s career might be over. Silva faded late in the fight — it was later revealed that he entered the ring battling an illness — and tried unsuccessfully to connect with one of the clubbing right hands for which he had become known. Henderson countered with a crushing left hook, as Silva fell to his back, his arms extended at his side. He did not have the wherewithal to stop the devastating right hammerfist that came next and finished the job. Henderson broke into an immediate celebration, the knockout making him the first fighter in history to hold major MMA titles in two weight classes at the same time.2. Nuclear Strike The weapon that made Henderson famous was his ridiculously powerful right hand, and no one knows the sting of that punch any better than Bisping. Neither man cared for the other as …

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