Why did Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva and Sokoudjou all turn down a fight with Brandon Vera?

Question

for UFC Fight Night 14?

http://mmamania.com/2008/07/14/brandon-vera-dan-henderson-wanderlei-silva-and-rameau-thierry-sokoudjou-turned-down-ufc-fight-night-14-offers/

Answer 1

I think there are a few reasons. First, they probably didnt feel they had adequate time to prepare for such an important fight. Secondly, all of those guys are in positions where a loss would set them back a lot on their path to the championship. It wouldn't be just a loss, but a loss to a guy on national tv who has lost two fights in a row.  Third, Brandon Vera really needs a win. He should have been fighting at 205 all along, but regardless he's lost two straight and can not afford another loss. It's very dangerous to fight a guy who absolutely needs it like Vera does.

Answer 2

vera is the man. really idk if it is true that they are dodging him. i don't think so.

Answer 3

Henderson is likely to stay at middleweight so I doubt he wants to jump back and forth in weight classes.  It would be smartest for him to continually train for a rematch with Silva rather than jump back and forth if that's his plan.  Wanderlei probably felt he deserved a fight more likely to lead to a title shot and Sokoudjou can't afford a big loss.

Answer 4

I honestly don't think that this is true...but if it were

Henderson belongs in the middle weight division period. thats is natural weight. why put him up against somone commin from HW.

Wanderlei is commin off a big ko win over Jardine which puts him up there with a title shot soon, so why would he wanna fight  vera whos commin off of 2 losses in a row.

Sokoudjou in my opinion wouldnt back down to vera, and I honestly think that would be a good fight, why turn that down.

Answer 5

those sound like rumours to me feeding

the sheeple

Answer 6

vera is going to be a force of nature at 205.