Dan Henderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dan Henderson
Born	Daniel Jeffery Henderson (1970-08-24) August 24, 1970 (age 54) Downey, California, U.S.
Other names	Hendo
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division	Middleweight Light heavyweight Heavyweight
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Style	Greco-Roman Wrestling
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Temecula, California, U.S.
Team	Team Quest (1999 – present) Dan Henderson Fitness Center
Rank	black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Wrestling	Olympian Greco-Roman Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active	1997–2016 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	47
Wins	32
By knockout	17
By submission	1
By decision	14
Losses	15
By knockout	3
By submission	4
By decision	8
University	Cal State Fullerton Arizona State University
Children	3
Notable school(s)	Victor Valley High School
last updated on: September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)

Daniel Henderson

Personal information
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	87 kg (192 lb)
Sport
Sport	Wrestling
Event(s)	Greco-Roman
College team	Arizona State Sun Devils
Club	Dave Schultz Wrestling Club
Coached by	Bob Anderson
Medal record Men's Greco-Roman wrestling Representing  United States World Cup Silver 1994 Kecskemet 82 kg Silver 1996 Colorado Springs 82 kg Pan American Games Bronze 1995 Mar del Plata 82 kg Pan American Championships Gold 2000 Cali 85 kg Silver 1994 Mexico City 82 kg Bronze 1998 Winnipeg 85 kg

Daniel "Dan" Jeffery Henderson (born August 24, 1970) is a famous American former mixed martial artist and Olympic wrestler. He was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Henderson was a champion in several major fighting organizations. He held titles in both the Pride Fighting Championships and Strikeforce. He was the only fighter in Pride FC history to hold two different weight class titles at the same time. Henderson also won many tournaments, including the Brazil Open '97 and the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament. When he retired in 2016, he was the oldest fighter in the UFC.

Dan Henderson's Wrestling Journey

Dan Henderson was born in Downey, California, and grew up in Apple Valley, California. He started wrestling at a young age. He became very good at Greco-Roman wrestling.

High School Wrestling Success

Henderson went to Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California. He won medals at the California State Wrestling Championships in 1987 and 1988. In 1987, his team won the state championship. By 1988, Henderson was a national junior champion in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.

College and Olympic Wrestling

After high school, Henderson wrestled at Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University. He became a university national champion in Greco-Roman wrestling three times. He also won the senior national championship in 1993, 1994, and 1997.

Henderson represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. He also won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. In 2000, he earned a gold medal at the Pan American Championships.

Dan Henderson's Mixed Martial Arts Career

Henderson started training in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 1997. He joined the Real American Wrestling team (RAW). Many wrestlers were finding success in this new sport.

Early Tournament Wins

Henderson made his MMA debut at the Brazil Open Lightweight Tournament in 1997. He won the championship after two quick fights. Less than a year later, he won his second MMA tournament at UFC 17. He defeated two tough opponents, even breaking his jaw in one fight!

About 18 months later, Henderson entered the Rings: King of Kings tournament. This was a huge event with 32 fighters and no weight limit. Even though he was lighter than many opponents, Henderson won all five of his fights. He became the Rings: King of Kings Tournament 1999 champion.

Becoming a Pride FC Champion

Henderson began fighting in Pride Fighting Championships in late 2000. He won the Welterweight (183 pounds) tournament in 2005. This made him the Pride Welterweight Champion.

In 2007, Henderson fought Wanderlei Silva at Pride 33. He won by knockout and became the Pride Middleweight Champion (205 pounds). This meant he held two Pride titles at the same time, which was a first! Henderson had a great record in Pride, winning 13 out of 18 fights.

Returning to the UFC

Henderson returned to the UFC in 2007. He faced tough champions like Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva. While he didn't win those title fights, he showed his skill.

He got his first UFC win against Rousimar Palhares in 2008. Henderson then coached on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. This led to a big fight against Michael Bisping.

Famous Knockout at UFC 100

At UFC 100 in 2009, Henderson fought Michael Bisping. Henderson knocked Bisping out in the second round with a powerful punch. This knockout is still considered one of the best in MMA history. It also earned him a special "Knockout of the Night" bonus.

Strikeforce Success

In 2009, Dan Henderson signed with Strikeforce. He fought Jake Shields for the Middleweight Championship but lost a close decision.

Henderson then moved up to light heavyweight. He won the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship in 2011. He defeated Rafael Cavalcante by TKO.

Later that year, Henderson faced the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in a heavyweight fight. Henderson won by knockout in the first round. This was a huge victory for him.

Third Run in the UFC

Henderson returned to the UFC for a third time in 2011. He fought Maurício Rua at UFC 139. Henderson won a unanimous decision in a fight many called one of the greatest in UFC history. Both fighters earned "Fight of the Night" honors.

He continued to fight top contenders like Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans. In 2014, he had a rematch with Maurício Rua. Henderson won by TKO in the third round, earning another "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Henderson faced Héctor Lombard in 2016 at UFC 199. He won by knockout in the second round. This earned him another "Performance of the Night" bonus.

Final Fight and Retirement

Dan Henderson's last fight was a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping at UFC 204 in 2016. It was a very close fight, and Henderson lost by decision. After the fight, Henderson confirmed he was retiring from fighting.

In 2018, Dan Henderson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his amazing fight against Maurício Rua in 2011.

Dan Henderson's Personal Life

Henderson grew up on a ranch in Apple Valley, California. He started wrestling at a very young age. His father and coaches helped him become a strong competitor.

He is of Native American, English, Scottish, and French descent. His grandmother was a member of the Confederated Tribes. Henderson learned that he is 1/16 Walla Walla Native American. He was happy to learn about his heritage and share it with his children.

Team Quest Gym

Dan Henderson is one of the owners of Team Quest Fitness Gym. It is located in Temecula, California. This gym helps train other mixed martial artists and athletes.

Championships and Awards

Dan Henderson won many titles and awards throughout his career:

• Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
  • UFC Hall of Fame (Fight Wing, Class of 2018)
  • UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament Championship
  • Four-time "Fight of the Night" award winner
  • "Knockout of the Night" award winner (vs. Michael Bisping 1)
  • Two-time "Performance of the Night" award winner

• Pride Fighting Championships
  • Pride Middleweight Champion
  • Pride Welterweight Champion
  • 2005 Pride Welterweight Grand Prix Champion
  • First fighter to win Pride championships in multiple weight classes
  • First fighter to hold multiple Pride championships at the same time

• Strikeforce
  • Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion

• Fighting Network RINGS
  • RINGS King of Kings 1999 Tournament Winner

• Brazil Open Fight
  • Brazil Open 1997 Lightweight Tournament Winner

• Amateur Wrestling
  • 2000 Pan American Championships Senior-Greco Roman Gold Medalist
  • 1995 Pan American Games Senior Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist
  • USA Senior Greco-Roman National Champion (1993, 1994, 1997)
  • USA Junior Greco-Roman National Champion (1988)
  • USA Junior Freestyle National Champion (1988)
  • Inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame (2013)

Film and TV Appearances

Dan Henderson has also appeared in some movies and TV shows:

Images for kids

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  Dan Henderson

See also

In Spanish: Dan Henderson para niños

• List of male mixed martial artists
• List of Pride FC alumni
• List of Pride champions
• List of Strikeforce alumni
• List of Strikeforce champions
• List of UFC tournament winners
• List of male mixed martial artists