[EmpireWF]

Dan Henderson fights for the UFC Middleweight Championship against Anderson Silva in March at UFC 82. According to a Houston Chronicle article, Henderson loves his chances against the dominating champion.

"The matchup is a classic contrast in styles — a lethal striker in Silva against a world-class wrestler in Henderson.

Since he arrived in the UFC in 2006, Silva's precision striking and sharp knees from close quarters have overwhelmed his opposition. He has yet to be taken to a third round in the UFC, and is one of the best finishers in mixed martial arts today. Only five of his 20 total victories have gone to the judges.

Henderson, 37, transitioned to mixed martial arts after competing in Greco-Roman wrestling for the United States at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. He made history last year by becoming the first mixed martial artist to hold two major titles simultaneously when he added the Pride middleweight belt to his welterweight crown by knocking out Wanderlei Silva at Pride 33.

"My strength is the clinch game, and I don't get out of position there to allow strikes," said Henderson (22-5), who's never been knocked out in his 10-year career. "That's what he (Anderson Silva) thrives on, guys that are out of position and not very good in that clinch. For me, that's where I'm going to beat him up, and if he gets there with me, I'm going to be taking him down and beating him up on the ground.""


Silva has definitely been one of the best fighters of the past year, with his amazing strikes. Henderson is one of the top wrestlers in the sport so he will look to get Silva on the ground and stay away from any dangerous punches, kicks or knees.