UFC Fight Night 32: Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson Fight Breakdown
Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson will meet and UFC Fight Night 32 this Saturday, in a rematch of their 2006 Pride FC scrap. The two MMA legends have very different agendas ahead of the rematch; Hendo is fighting to prove he still has what it takes, and Belfort is looking for revenge. Also ‘The Phenom’ is looking to hold his number one contender status at 185lbs., but that’s a different story.
So let’s take a look at the breakdown of ‘The Phenom’ and ‘Dangerous Dan’ ahead of their 205lb. battle:
Striking
Both guys like to knock people out, Hendo with his infamous H-Bomb and Belfort with his lightning fast hands and feet. The big difference here will be speed and movement, both of which are heavily favored for Belfort. Henderson is simply too slow to compete with Belfort on the feet, and I think this will show when they meet.
Hendo holds 13 knockouts to Belfort’s 16, but his last two bouts against Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans showed that a little movement will nullify Hendo’s right hand. Look for Belfort to use this to full advantage. 60-40 in the favor of Belfort.
Wrestling
This is Henderson’s bread and butter as a former Olympian and division I wrestler, and he should go back to his roots if he wants any chance of winning against the younger, faster opponent. This is the style that beat Belfort at Pride 32, and is likely his only key to victory at Saturday’s main event.
Belfort has never won a decision in the UFC, usually because if he reaches the judges scorecards then he probably has spent the fight on the mat. Most people that Belfort touch go to sleep, even a guy as tough as Hendo can get rocked so he should utilize his advantage in the wrestling department. 70-30 for Hendo.
Grappling
Belfort is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is an ADCC accredited grappler, Hendo holds no (stated) belt in any form of submission grappling so you’d think the advantage would go Belfort’s way. Hendo has fallen three times to submissions (twice to Big Nog and once to Anderson Silva), whereas Belfort has tapped to Jon Jones and Alistair Overeem.
Belfort is certainly the more decorated grappler, and may use it to counter Hendo’s wrestling, but I don’t know if this will even come in to play. Belfort gets the nod at 60-40.
I’m certainly excited to see how this one turns out, especially as Hendo has his back against a wall. Riding a two fight losing skid at the age of 42 means this might be ‘Dangerous Dan’s’ last stand. He faces a lethal foe in the form of Belfort and I am hyped for the fight.
Outer Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports
