Dan Henderson

Daniel ‘Hollywood’ Henderson was born on August 24th, 1970 in Apple Valley, California. After wrestling throughout his time at Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California, Henderson went on to continue the sport at Arizona State University. Although he continued to compete and succeed on several American wrestling circuits, Henderson did not start his mixed martial arts training until the age of 27 when, at the urging of friend and noted fighter Randy Couture, he joined Couture’s Team Quest training club. After competing in the Olympics for the last time in 1996, Henderson agreed.

After moving to Las Vegas and training with Team Quest for only one year, Henderson won both the Brazil Open tournament and the UFC 17 tournament in 1998, taking out both Allan Goes and Carlos Newton in the second series. Seeing greater financial payoffs in the more famous Japanese fighting organizations, Henderson turned down a contract with the UFC to compete with the PRIDE and Rings organizations in Japan.

Henderson quickly entered the 1999 Rings King of Kings tournament and defeated two fighters in one night to qualify for the final round. He went on to take out Gilbert Yvel, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renato Sobral to win the tournament and make a strong name for himself in the foreign country.

Switching to the PRIDE organization, Henderson began fighting as a heavyweight because there was no 185 pound division until years later. Despite the weight difference, Henderson continued to dominate his opponents, winning victories against notable fighters such as Wanderlei Silva and Ricardo Arona. The commencement of PRIDE’s Bushido tournaments introduced a weight class more suited to Henderson’s size and he top first place in their first ever 185 pound Grand Prix tournament by defeating Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono with a knockout each, then beating Murilo Bustamante with a very close decision in the final bout.

Henderson continued his participation in the Bushido events, defeating Kazuo Misaki with a unanimous decision at PRIDE Bushido 10. A rematch between the pair at PRIDE’s second 185 pound Grand Prix saw the underdog Misaki defeat Henderson in a close match with a unanimous decision.

Despite his great record, rumors that Henderson was winning close decisions at the behest of PRIDE organizers in an attempt to lure American viewers followed him doggedly; some internet commentators went so far as to nickname Henderson ‘Decision Dan.’

Henderson continued to fight and win despite the bad press, upsetting heavy favorite Wanderlei Silva with a knockout at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas and claiming the middleweight title for himself.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, in an announcement given after UFC 71, stated that Henderson would be returning to the UFC to challenge Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson for the UFC light heavyweight championship. The fight was quickly scheduled for the UFC 75 event being held in London, England.

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Anderson Silva

Andrei Arlovski - "The Pitbull"

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - "Minotauro"

B.J. Penn

Brad Blackburn - Bad

Brandon Vera

Bryan Vetell

Chris Lytle - Lights Out

Chuck Liddell

Dan Christison - The Sandman

Dan Henderson

David Tank Abbott

Denis Kang

Diego Sanchez

Don Frye - The Predator

Ed Herman - Short Fuse

Eric Esch - Butterbean

Ernesto Hoost - Mr. Perfect

Fedor Emelianenko

Forrest Griffin

Frank Shamrock

Gabriel Gonzaga - "Napao"

George St. Pierre - "Rush"

Gilbert Yvel - The Hurricane

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Heath Herring - The Texas Crazy Horse

Hermes Franca

Ian Freeman - The Machine

Igor Vovchanchyn - Ice Cold

Jason MacDonald - The Athlete

Jason Von Flue - Live Wire

Jeff Joslin - The Inferno

Jeremy Horn - Gumby

Joachim Hansen - Hell Boy

Joey Villasenor

Jon Fitch

Josh Barnett - "The Babyface Assassin"

Josh Burkman - "The People's Warrior"

Josh Koscheck

Karo Parisyan

Keith Jardine - The Dean of Mean

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Kenny Florian - KenFlo

Lyoto Machida

Mac Danzig

Marcus Aurelio - Maximus

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Mark Weir - The Wizard

Marvin Eastman - The Beastman

Matt Hamill - The Hammer

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Matt Lindland

Matt Serra

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Michael Bisping

Mike Swick - "Quick"

Mirko Filipovic - "Cro Cop"

Nam Phan

Nick Diaz - "Diablo"

Patrick Cote - The Predator

Paul Buentello - The Headhunter

Peter Aerts - The Dutch Lumberjack

Phil Baroni - The New York Bad Ass

Quinton Jackson - "Rampage"

Randy Couture - "The Natural"

Rashad Evans - "Sugar"

Renzo Gracie

Ricardo Arona

Rich Franklin

Richard Clementi - No Love

Roman Zentsov - The Russian Hammer

Sam Hoger - The Alaskan Assassin

Sean Sherk - "The Muscle Shark"

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Shonie Carter - Mr. International

Spencer Fisher - The King

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