· Dan Henderson’s Place Among MMA’s Elite Is Set

Back in 2007, in the build-up to Dan Henderson’s title unification fight with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, one of the trainers interviewed for the UFC preview show described Dan Henderson as a “modern day cowboy.” Upon reflection, perhaps there is no better way to describe this long-time elite fighter. One would be hard-pressed to find a more well respected older fighter in the game today than the former multi-division world champion.

Henderson's reputation as a tough, durable fighter is the stuff of MMA legend. In his prime, he mixed his world class wrestling ability perfectly into his overall MMA game, complimenting his heavy-handed punching power and amazing ability to take punishment and keep attacking. It was definitely impressive last Saturday night to see the now 40-year-old fighter dispatching a top-ten world ranked light heavyweight Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante via knockout in Ohio. You probably are familiar with the old saying about how “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Still, it is a testament to Henderson's amazing longevity that he has placed himself, yet again, solidly in the upper echelon of world-class 205-pounders. Dan has never taken the easy road in this game. He was never the type of fighter that was content to build his record up on the regional circuit and accumulate wins. Most of his career was spent facing off against some of the best fighters that the sport had to offer. Oh, and for good measure, he had no problem fighting anyone from the middleweight division on up to heavyweight. When you analyze his overall career body of work, his figurative “first ballot Hall-of-Fame” credentials are unquestionable:

• Combined career opponent’s winning percentage of 70.6 percent (very few world champions in this sport’s brief history can boast of an average this high or better).

• At one time Henderson was considered the world’s top middleweight fighter in the sport.

• At one time he was considered the world’s top light heavyweight fighter in the sport.

• 13-5 run in Pride (which saw him consistently take on elite competition).

• 5-2 run in the UFC (including winning his first two and last three fights there).

• Henderson has never been knocked out in his 35 professional fights thus far and has only been stopped by submission three times (and only once at middleweight).

• He maintains an outstanding record against some of the best that the U.S. and Brazil had to offer. Despite the talk in the build up to Saturday’s Strikeforce card, history will show that Henderson has had great success against Brazilian competition with wins against: Cavalcante, Renato “Babalu” Sobral (once by TKO and once by decision), Rousimar Palhares, Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante (once by TKO and once by decision), Murilo Rua, Renzo Gracie, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (the only non-heavyweight to defeat this legend), and others.

In terms of legacy, it is preferable that combat sports athletes finish out their careers on a high note. There would be nothing better than for Henderson to do the same. Henderson and many other fighters in boxing and MMA that are well past their prime still have a skill and marketability that allows them to further secure the financial future for themselves and their families. They’ve earned the right to ride that as long as possible if they so choose. And so, maybe we’ll see this Temecula, California fighter take a couple more losses before he rides off into the sunset.

Whatever happens, though, the legacy of Dan Henderson has long been secure. Years and years of victories and time spent as one of the sport’s elite competitors have assured it. Nothing that happens to an aged and battle-worn Henderson from this point forward will ever change that. Already, calls are being made by some in the MMA media to match the 40-year-old Henderson against long-time heavyweight kingpin Fedor Emelianenko (a man several years Dan’s junior). Something tells me, though, that Dan wouldn’t have it any other way. He never did like the easy road. That’s the way it is with cowboys.

Photos: Esther Lin/Strikeforce