Dan Henderson Stoppage Reportedly Saved His Vision At UFC on FOX 14

UFC veteran and MMA legend Dan Henderson suffered his fifth loss in sixth tries when Gegard Mousasi finished him in a mere 70 seconds (watch highlights here) in the co-main event of last Saturday night’s (Jan. 24, 2015) UFC on FOX 14 from the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

While “Hendo” protested the stoppage, which he deemed too quick after it appeared he was dazed but had secured a single leg takedown on Mousasi, “The Dreamcatcher” eventually revealed in his post-fight interview that he let up because Henderson had suffered a serious eye injury.

So while “Hendo” may have thought he could have fought on, FOX Sports correspondent Gareth A. Davies reported that the ‘early’ stoppage could have indeed saved his finish, as Henderson was headed for an eye operation:

I understand ‘premature’ stoppage of @danhendo at #UFCStockholm has arguably saved the vision in one of his eyes. He has eye op here today.

— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) January 25, 2015

Obviously it’s a great thing that Mousasi was able to discern Henderson’s eye injury and hold off from causing more damage, because he had Henderson right where he wanted him. Henderson is a legend of the sport and an icon who has won many titles, but at this point in his career, it’s safe to say that he’s too tough for his own good.

He wanted to fight on when his vision was on the line, and he doesn’t plan on letting this latest setback stop him from fighting, stating the following at the post-fight presser:

“You guys saw what happened. I just felt like I really didn’t get in there to fight and didn’t get an opportunity. It’s just unfortunate that it happened, and it just sucks. […] No, I mean tonight I felt fine the whole time. It was just one of those things. I’m real careful in practice and train smart. I feel good. It was just an unfortunate thing tonight. I feel completely fine and healthy.”

The grizzled vet may have felt ‘fine and healthy,’ but his eye doctors would probably offer up a different side of the story. He’s almost guaranteed to earn a full six-month medical suspension for the ailment, but there just isn’t much left for him to prove if and when he does decide to step back into the Octagon.

It’s sad to see him go out like this, and he’s been fighting elite talent to horrific results over the past three years. Maybe he could return to take on another aging fighter, but right now, there’s no reason for the UFC to put him in there against yet another true contender.

Have we seen the end of the road for “Hendo?” Perhaps it would be for the best if we had.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports