UFC 145 Results - Jon Jones' Next Opponent Confirmed: Dan Henderson

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/4/22...-dan-henderson



In the wake of the UFC 145 main event that saw Jon Jones dominate Rashad Evans en route to a unanimous decision title defense, the obvious question was "who's next?" Dana White confirmed that at the post-fight press conference.

Ariel Helwani tweeted out the news:
@arielhelwani
Ariel Helwani
Dana confirms Hendo is next for Jones.

Dan Henderson is coming off an amazing win in his last fight against Mauricio Rua. That fight was one of the best in the history of the UFC and was just the latest in a string of great wins for Henderson that included going up to heavyweight and knocking out the great Fedor Emelianenko.

Henderson has been waiting patiently for his title show and now he'll get what he wanted and take on the best fighter in the sport. Can he pull off the huge upset and cement his spot as one of the best fighters the sport has ever seen?

I dont see it happening but theres always a chance of an H BOMB! I would love to see Hendo get that UFC gold..but my psychic abilities wont allow it

H bomb is his only chance but unlikely. Maybe Hendo knows something I don't, but my guess is if the much faster Rashad couldn't land a bomb, Hendo will have a much harder time. Personally, I see this being an easier fight for Jones than machida and rashad. The last title contender IMO before the division is wiped out is gustafsson.

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Originally Posted by David Rosado

H bomb is his only chance but unlikely. Maybe Hendo knows something I don't, but my guess is if the much faster Rashad couldn't land a bomb, Hendo will have a much harder time. Personally, I see this being an easier fight for Jones than machida and rashad. The last title contender IMO before the division is wiped out is gustafsson.

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I agree..Maybe its time for Jones to bump up to HW like hes talked about in the past

Hope Hendo beats his ass

Jones will not lose until he moves up to Heavyweight!!!

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Originally Posted by Brent Smith

I agree..Maybe its time for Jones to bump up to HW like hes talked about in the past

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He actually asked Dana to have a HW fight after Rashad but Dana said not yet.

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Originally Posted by Jason Koh

Hope Hendo beats his ass

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Yeah, everyone's been hoping for that for a while. People just have to accept that it's unlikely.

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Originally Posted by Jack LaBarge

Jones will not lose until he moves up to Heavyweight!!!

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I agree. I think his first couple fights he'll be ok. But once he gets to the top level and much heavier guys, I don't think he'll do too well.

If/when he does go up to HW they should start him of with a guy like Schaub or Herman. Guys weighing in at under 240, at least while he is bulking up a bit more anyway. Just don't see any more challenges for Jones in the LHW division. I think after he fights Gustaffsson (assuming Gustaffson wins another fight whilst Jones is fighting Hendo) then he will move up for a fight at HW. Hendo will be an easier fight for Jones than Rampage was, and i see it going down pretty much the same way tbh. :-)

Talk of JBJ moving up to HW is going to last for a quite a while longer before it becomes a reality. Just like Anderson Silva "cleaned out" his division years ago but only had a few fights at LHW but never made the move up permanently & never went for the title. The UFC always finds a new contender to hype up to keep the champ comfortable in their natural weight class & its hard for the champ to walk away from the "easy" money.

JBJ will dominate at LHW until 2013 when he finally moves up to take the HW title. He's tall enough for HW - he will still have the longest reach, and probably weighs 225 between fights so needs to put on what? 20 pounds or so of muscle? Considering he's only 24 & will be guided by the Jackson camp to put the weight on right (not in a rush like Frank Mir did) that sounds very do-able to me.

JBJ HW champ in 2013 - fact.

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Originally Posted by Michael Sioda

Talk of JBJ moving up to HW is going to last for a quite a while longer before it becomes a reality. Just like Anderson Silva "cleaned out" his division years ago but only had a few fights at LHW but never made the move up permanently & never went for the title. The UFC always finds a new contender to hype up to keep the champ comfortable in their natural weight class & its hard for the champ to walk away from the "easy" money.

JBJ will dominate at LHW until 2013 when he finally moves up to take the HW title. He's tall enough for HW - he will still have the longest reach, and probably weighs 225 between fights so needs to put on what? 20 pounds or so of muscle? Considering he's only 24 & will be guided by the Jackson camp to put the weight on right (not in a rush like Frank Mir did) that sounds very do-able to me.

JBJ HW champ in 2013 - fact.

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That's a bold statement. I'm a big Jones fan. Ever since I saw his debut in the UFC I knew he could become champ with the right training. IDK how he'll handle the big boys. Then again, the last 2 HW champs are under 250lbs. So who knows? You may be right.

Of course JJ could win the HW title.
That title gets passed around so often.

It will be a long time coming before the heavyweight division get's it's GOAT in the UFC.

yes i read recently that Bones walks around at 230 between fights. 20 lbs is easily manageable for him i think, especially if he competes against a smaller HW first. :-)

Dan wont stop swinging till that right hand lands and on paper Hendo has the better Greco. Dan might overwhelm Jones. I cant really say because the kid is just so damn good.

I think the reach will play a big factor in this fight. I doubt Jones will want to clinch with Hendo

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Originally Posted by Kyle Spalla

Dan wont stop swinging till that right hand lands and on paper Hendo has the better Greco. Dan might overwhelm Jones. I cant really say because the kid is just so damn good.

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Dan might have better greco, but on paper, Dan also has pretty bad take down defense. Shogun isn't exactly a stellar wrestler and he took Dan down a LOT. I can only imagine what Jon does to Dan. H bomb is his only chance.