Dan Henderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dan Henderson
Henderson in 2007
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, Boxing
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Temecula, California, U.S.
Team	Team Quest (1999 – present) Dan Henderson Fitness Center
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 athlete. He used to compete in mixed martial arts (MMA) and was also an Olympic wrestler. He is known for being a champion in different weight classes in major MMA organizations like Pride Fighting Championships and Strikeforce. He was also the only fighter to hold two titles at the same time in Pride FC.

Henderson won many tournaments, including the Brazil Open '97, UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament, and Rings: King of Kings 1999. He also won the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix. He is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. When he retired after UFC 204 in 2016, he was the oldest fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Wrestling Journey

Dan Henderson grew up in Apple Valley, California. He was very good at Greco-Roman wrestling, a style where wrestlers use only their upper bodies and arms.

He went to Victor Valley High School and won medals at the California State Wrestling Championships. In 1988, he became a national junior champion in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. After high school, he wrestled for Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, Henderson won national championships in 1991, 1993, and 1994. He represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. He also won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games and a gold medal at the 2000 Pan American Championships.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Henderson started training in mixed martial arts in 1997. He joined the Real American Wrestling (RAW) team.

Early Tournaments

In 1997, Henderson made his MMA debut in the Brazil Open Lightweight Tournament. He quickly won two fights and became the champion.

Less than a year later, he entered the UFC 17 tournament. He won two tough fights to become the champion. During one fight, his jaw was broken, but he kept fighting!

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

Fighting in PRIDE

Henderson started fighting in Pride Fighting Championships in 2000. He won the Welterweight (183 pounds) tournament in 2005. He knocked out two opponents and then won the final fight. This made him the Pride Welterweight Champion.

In 2007, Henderson fought Wanderlei Silva at Pride 33. He won by knockout and became the Middleweight Champion (205 pounds). This meant he held two Pride titles at the same time, which was a first for the organization! He had 13 wins and 5 losses in Pride.

Return to the UFC

On September 8, 2007, Henderson returned to the UFC. He fought Quinton Jackson for the Light Heavyweight title but lost a close decision.

He then fought Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2008. Henderson won the first round, but Silva won by submission in the second. This fight was so exciting that it won the "Fight of the Night" award.

Henderson then won against Rousimar Palhares and Rich Franklin. After these wins, he was chosen to be a coach on the TV show The Ultimate Fighter.

Coaching and Big Knockout

Henderson coached Team U.S. on The Ultimate Fighter against Team UK, coached by Michael Bisping. This led to a big rivalry between them.

They fought at UFC 100 in July 2009. Henderson knocked Bisping out in the second round with a powerful punch. This knockout was so impressive that it won "Knockout of the Night" and is remembered as one of the best knockouts in MMA history.

Time in Strikeforce

In 2009, Dan Henderson signed with Strikeforce. He lost his first fight there to Jake Shields.

However, he bounced back with a knockout win against Renato Sobral in 2010. Then, in 2011, he defeated Rafael Cavalcante to win the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.

Henderson also fought the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in 2011. Even though Fedor was much heavier, Henderson won by knockout in the first round.

Third Run in the UFC

After his Strikeforce contract ended, Henderson returned to the UFC for a third time. In November 2011, he had an amazing fight against Maurício Rua at UFC 139. Henderson won by decision, and the fight was called one of the greatest in UFC history. Both fighters earned "Fight of the Night" honors.

Henderson was set to fight UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in 2012, but he had to pull out due to a knee injury.

He then had a few tough losses against fighters like Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Vitor Belfort. However, he showed his toughness by signing a new contract with the UFC.

In 2014, Henderson had a rematch with Maurício Rua. He was losing the first two rounds but came back strong in the third to win by TKO. This fight also won "Performance of the Night" and "Fight of the Night."

Henderson continued to fight, winning against Tim Boetsch with a quick knockout in 2015. In 2016, he knocked out Héctor Lombard with a head kick and elbow, earning another "Performance of the Night" bonus.

His final fight was a rematch against UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping at UFC 204 in October 2016. It was a very close and exciting fight, but Henderson lost by decision. After the fight, he announced his retirement from fighting.

In 2018, Dan Henderson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his incredible fight against Maurício Rua in 2011.

Life Outside Fighting

Dan Henderson grew up on a ranch in Apple Valley, California. He started wrestling when he was young. His father and high school coaches helped him become a great wrestler.

He is part Native American, English, Scottish, and French. He learned that his grandmother was a member of the Confederated Tribes and that he is 1/16 Walla Walla Native American.

Henderson is also an owner of Team Quest Fitness Gym in Temecula, California.

Achievements and Awards

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Dan Henderson para niños

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