MANCHESTER, England
Two Olympics, championships in multiple MMA organizations, 47 professional fights, numerous records … Dan Henderson has quite the legacy in mixed martial arts.
Unfortunately, winning the UFC belt that eluded him his whole career was not to be, as he lost to Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 204 by unanimous decision.
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The Southern California native came close twice in the first two rounds of pulling off the dream scenario, landing his patented “H-Bomb” at the end of the first round and second. Bisping was staggered, but he survived to take the fight the distance and win the fight on the judges’ scorecards (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
“This is the last time anyone will see me fight live,” Henderson said in the Octagon. “I appreciate all the support throughout the years worldwide. I gave my heart and soul to this sport, and fans like you – even though you booed me at the beginning of the night – made it worthwhile to keep competing year after year.”
The loss in what he says is the last fight of his career should not overshadow Hendo’s successful career, which includes championships in both Strikeforce and PRIDE, victories against some of the biggest names in MMA such as Renzo Gracie, Fedor Emelianenko, Vitor Belfort and countless epic fights, including Bisping at UFC 100 and Mauricio Rua at UFC 139.
He retires from mixed martial arts with the second most wins in major MMA history, claiming 26 combined wins in UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce and WEC (25, two behind Anderson Silva) and the third-most KO/TKO wins combined in all those organizations (15).
„I came up a little short, but not bad for an old man,“ Henderson said.
Jorge Mondaca is managing editor of UFC.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JorgeAMondaca
