Dan Henderson: UFC promoting ‘circus acts’

In confirmation of some earlier oft-discussed plans, Dan Henderson is set to face Lyoto Machida at UFC 156, the Super Bowl Weekend card that is fast becoming a monster of an event. Appearing on last night’s “MMA Uncensored Live” on Spike TV, Henderson discussed his next bout. While he has been very vocal recently in his opposition of Chael Sonnen‘s title shot at Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones, it appears he now has his own dangerous opponent to prepare for. While Hendo had put in a full camp in preparation to face Jones, his untimely injury left him with a road back towards a title shot. And at 42 years old, Hendo’s cage appearances may start to become numbered. Perhaps this is why he has been so vocal about Sonnen’s next fight, a fight that he gained despite being finished in two title fights at a lower weight class against Anderson Silva. Henderson was  recently quoted :

“It is what it is. I called it how I saw it. I could have said that the UFC is promoting circus acts. You know, the man with the longest arms against MMA’s biggest mouth? It is what it is. I don’t think that the fans wanted to see that — they don’t view it as a real fight. I’ll always have love for Chael. I’ll definitely help him train if he needs or wants my help. Advice? I trained a whole training camp for Jones. I probably have a lot of game plan in there. But, Chael and I are just different fighters, as well.”

Henderson usually remains reserved and calm in his media dealings, preferring to let his murderous right hand do most of the talking. It is quite interesting that Chael Sonnen, blasted with a TKO in his last bout, is fighting for the 205 lb. title over two men who were very recently set for title shots before the UFC 151 fiasco. Anyway, the plans are set for Jones, but the UFC hasn’t officially confirmed the Henderson-Machida bout. If and when they do, UFC 156 will be a stacked and potentially massive card, featuring Frankie Edgar versus Jose Aldo for the 145 lb. strap and Rashad Evans versus Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in other action. Will Hendo claw back to that shot at the only belt that has evaded his extensive collection?