• UFC 139

Henderson wants Jon Jones, not Anderson Silva, next

Rampage Jackson had no answer to Jon Jones in the UFC light-heavyweight champion's last outing © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Features: ESPN UFC Podcast: The Best Fight Ever?
  
• News: Henderson vows to finish career in the UFC
  
• News: Family Pride on the line for Shogun at UFC 139
  
• Features: ESPN UFC Podcast: Junior Becomes The Master
  
• News: Heavy-handed Henderson beats Shogun - Bisping
  
• News: Shogun plans to crack Hendo's 14-year record
  
• News: Jon Jones 'improving leaps and bounds' - Jackson
  
• Profile: Jon Jones

Dan Henderson has confirmed he will target Jon Jones' UFC light-heavyweight belt once he beats Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 139 this weekend.

Henderson returns to the UFC as Strikeforce light-heavyweight king, and he will be welcomed back to his old stomping ground by Rua, a fellow former Pride icon.

Until now the motivation behind Hendo's return has been unclear, with both light-heavyweight and middleweight options open to him. Having previously lost to Anderson Silva in a title fight, it was suggested that Henderson was hell-bent on avenging that loss.

However, the 41-year-old undoubtedly looks more comfortable at light-heavyweight, taking out Fedor Emelianenko in his last bout, and he admits he wants to take on the seemingly invincible Jones.

"I actually would have rather been in a fight for the title, but this fight excites me too. Shogun's a tough guy, and it's gonna be a big challenge," Henderson told MMAWeekly Radio.

"Had Rashad [Evans] said he was injured two or three weeks earlier, I probably would have had that fight [against Jones] instead of [Lyoto] Machida.

"I do think that would be a fight I would enjoy," Henderson continued. "Jones is awkward and unorthodox and it creates something to think about and how to beat that, and that's what excites me these days.

"Guys that are a big challenge, and he would be because he's awkward and dangerous at the same time, but I think he matches up really well with me style wise."

Henderson is also not willing to write off Machida's chances against Jones, insisting MMA is far less predictable than that. Indeed, there was a time when it was Machida who was discussed in such a manner.

"I'm not one to buy into things too quickly. I've been doing this for a long time and seen a lot of guys beat a lot of tough guys really quick and then die out," said Henderson.

"I think Jones is going to be around a long time, he's just going to get better. But at this point he's still got a lot to improve on, and he's athletic and talented and he does learn. He's got a huge future, but I think he's got a little way to go."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.