• UFC 139

Henderson vows to finish career in the UFC

ESPN staff
November 18, 2011
Dan Henderson is on a three-fight tear © Getty Images
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Dan Henderson has vowed to finish his career in the UFC, and he revealed he could have several more fights left in him before he retires.

Henderson fights Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 139 this weekend, in what resembles a renewed assault on UFC gold. The 41-year-old has won Pride and Strikeforce titles but, has so far failed to conquer any division in the UFC.

He returns to the Octagon in some of the best form of his life, as the reigning Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion, and Henderson confirmed he has no plan to return to the Strikeforce landscape. Instead, he is eyeing a long reign of dominance in MMA's top promotion, with Jon Jones' belt the end goal.

"I'm going to finish up my career in the UFC and I am excited by it; and the fact the UFC has a huge Fox deal now makes it even more exciting," Henderson said.

"I need to win in the Octagon this weekend first before I talk about what's next. Shogun is a very dangerous opponent; this is a fight I wanted to happen years ago in Pride and he's a name that will look good on my record.

"I feel I have got a lot of fights left in myself. I am 41 and feel great. I'm not putting a time limit on anything. I think I can put a game plan together to beat anyone out there. I am aggressive throughout the whole fight and always trying to finish a fight, although Shogun is very good and well-rounded so that will be a challenge to do.

"I think it is fair to say I've accomplished a lot in the sport, but one thing I have not accomplished is winning the UFC title. I like to set goals and that's a big one: winning the UFC title."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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