Dan Henderson Says “Right Offer” Could Delay Retirement
It has been widely speculated that when the legendary Dan Henderson challenges middleweight champion Michael Bipsing for the title at UFC 204, it could very well be the last fight of his professional MMA career.
However, according to Henderson himself, the right amount of money could stem off his retirement for a short time, something he talked about with the people at Champions.co.
"I'm sure with a few extra zeros back there I would consider coming back…But, at the same time, I was ready to be done [in] my last fight. With the opportunity to finish with a belt and be the world champ at the end of my career, I couldn't say no to that. When they offered me that, I told them that this will be my last one for sure, win or lose” said Henderson.
Henderson, who defeated Bisping the first time they met via knockout at UFC 100, discussed just how shocked he was to be offered both a title fight and rematch with the champion.
"They [UFC] had called me and said that they were considering it [the fight with Bisping] and within a couple of weeks, maybe at the end of June or something like that, they had told me that, and I said absolutely I would do it, I was obviously surprised, but happy to hear about that," Henderson said. "Yeah, I didn't even think they would consider it, even though there was so many fans out there asking for it, so I'm just happy that it got put together."
Henderson, who defeated Bisping the first time at UFC 100 in Las Vegas, Nevada then talked about fighting the champ in his home country.
"No, it really doesn't bother me at all," Henderson explained. "The fight happens in an octagon, the same one I'm used to train in. Everything else is just distractions that don't really matter."
The challenger also discussed the way he knocked out Bisping in the first fight, and whether or not he can recreate that moment one more time.
"It's more than likely," Henderson said. "I did it before I fought him, against Wanderlei, and maybe one or two other guys, just to make sure they're done. It's the quickest way I know how to get from point A to point B, to jump on them. I'll absolutely finish up with a punch or two if I knock him down, to make sure the fight is over. There is no ill will there, you know. I don't wish him any permanent harm or anything, I just want to make sure that I win the fight."
UFC 204 takes place on October 8th from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England with Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson headlining.
