Will Dan Henderson give Mauricio Rua a shot at redemption? – UFC Special
Dan Henderson was relentless in his attack when he faced Mauricio Rua in the octagon. Their fight at UFC 139, held on November 12, 2011, was nothing short of an extraordinary encounter between the two of the greatest mixed martial
arts (MMA) fighters. Henderson, the 41-year old American MMA fighter had greatly anticipated his return in the UFC ring at UFC 139. He last battled in UFC at UFC 100 at July 2009. He then went to the Strikeforce event and competed there before coming back
in UFC to face Rua.
Henderson, nicknamed Hendo, was in complete control when the fight began. Rua could not initiate any counter attack against the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Rua, who is also a former champion in the UFC circuit,
when he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 113 in March 2010, was not coming in his rhythmic fighting style in the first three rounds of the fight. The intensity which Rua showed in the last two rounds of the five round fight was just off the
charts. He made a chilling statement when his punches flew from all direction. Henderson thought that he would dominate in all the five rounds but Rua did not falter behind once he came in his zone during the fourth round. Their bloodied bodies and shorts,
bruised arms and wounded faces were a testimony of the gruelling encounter the two fighters went through inside the octagonal fighting ring at UFC 139.
What the Henderson vs. Rua fight brought to the spectators was something they would remember for a long time. The fight events buzzed even after the UFC 139 event was over as the UFC fans were given a fight of a lifetime. Not only
did was their fight a slugfest, but it was something which created a record in its own right. Normally, a title fight in the UFC circuit enters into the fifth round but the fight between these two goliaths was a non-title bout and still it made its way into
the fifth round.
The intense competition clearly showed the power, concentration and ferocity with which the two fighters attacked and counter attacked during the fight. Henderson took a win over Rua through a unanimous decision only after he gave
Rua a beating so severe that thoughts of revenge loomed over his mind the moment the fight ended. After two days of their fight at UFC 139, Rua threw a challenge at Henderson.
The venue and day of the fight is still unknown but Rua is eager to face Henderson in the ring one more time. This time, Rua will not be fighting for a win, but his energy will support his sheer thoughts of vengeance. He would
not let this opportunity pass without giving him a win. The emotional and psychological loss that Rua has faced by the hands of Henderson, are just enormous. Rua’s challenge to Henderson was also a clear indication that Rua wants to prove himself a better
fighter than Henderson.
After the beating Rua faced, no one in his right mind would give such a challenge but for Rua, this is a matter of pride. His UFC and MMA integrity is on the line for he needs to get a win over Henderson to remove the scars of
defeat, which may hover on his career for the rest of his time. It is only a matter of time when Henderson accepts the challenge, who himself would feel a bit intimidated if he faces Rua in the ring. The clock is ticking as Rua awaits Henderson’s decision.
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