In an exclusive ESPN interview, UFC Hall of Famer Dan Henderson recently shared his lingering regret about the fight that never happened—his anticipated showdown with Jon Jones at UFC 151. Henderson, celebrated as a hard-hitting legend and a former champion in two divisions of PRIDE, was poised to challenge the then light-heavyweight champion Jones in the main event back in September 2012.
Dan Henderson’s Unfulfilled Dream
However, fate had other plans for Henderson. A mere nine days before the scheduled bout, he suffered a devastating setback—a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL). This unforeseen injury derailed the highly anticipated clash and altered the trajectory of both fighters’ careers.
When Chael Sonnen stepped up, offering to fill in on short notice, Jones declined the replacement, resulting in the unprecedented cancellation of the entire UFC 151 event. Henderson shares his disappointment and unyielding confidence, stating, “I was totally sure I would crush him. I was super prepared, not just physically but tactically too. All my sparring partners can attest to how ready I was.”
Despite never getting a second chance at Jones in an MMA fight, Henderson remains steadfast in his belief that he could have been the one to dethrone the champion. “In my head, I had already won. I was in prime shape, both physically and mentally, ready to bring home the win,” he insists.
The Paths Cross
However, their paths did cross a few years later in a grappling match at Submission Underground 2, where Jones emerged victorious with an arm-triangle choke. Henderson reflects on this and suggests he believes he would have had the upper hand in an MMA match. “It’s the only fight I’ve ever pulled out of in my 20-year career. It was a real letdown,” says Henderson.
This poignant narrative serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of MMA, where a single injury can thwart dreams, alter destinies, and rewrite the pages of history. Henderson’s story remains etched in the annals of the sport as a testament to the unforeseen twists that can shape a fighter’s journey.
What if Henderson had faced Jones? Would he have triumphed, altering the MMA landscape in a profound way?
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