UFC veteran plans to settle score

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There is the profound way of looking at it: The Ultimate Fighting Championship holds its 100th show Saturday night and perhaps the most symbolic matchup of such a historic moment will not be either of two title bouts, but rather when veteran Dan Henderson stares across at a younger and promising Michael Bisping.

There is also the Henderson way of looking at it:

“He’s a douche bag.”

OK then.

The profound way: Henderson fought and won the UFC 17 middleweight tournament in 1998. The event was called “Redemption,” and that same fighter is now seeking deliverance back to the championship level he once knew. Standing in his way: Part of the future.

Henderson at nearly 39 is a reminder of where UFC once was and how far it has come; Bisping at 30 is evidence of the sport’s depth of skill.

It’s the ideal mix for such a significant evening.

Oddsmakers just don’t think it will be close, is all.

They have approached the middleweight fight as they might the Patriots against the Lions, presenting Henderson at one point this week a 3-1 favorite while siding with a resume filled with opposing names even the most fringe UFC fan could recognize.

The Henderson way: “I’ve never really been fond of (Bisping). He probably talks more than most opponents I have fought. That doesn’t change how I will fight or my desire to beat him up. He’s just not anyone I would hang out with.

“He’s just a bit of a douche bag, and from what I understand that’s pretty much the consensus.”

It’s a sentiment with some history attached. Henderson and Bisping were coaches for the Ultimate Fighter 9, when the two-time U.S. Olympic wrestler from California led a team of Americans against those from the United Kingdom, directed by Bisping.

You sort of get the idea Bisping annoys Henderson more than anything, like the little brother who won’t knock before entering. But instead of a wedgie, Henderson envisions settling the issue in a more violent manner, with fists and takedowns and ultimately a knockout or submission.

You sort of get the idea Bisping isn’t all that worried.

“It was pretty civilized on the show,” he said. “I tried winding things up a bit but it was nothing personal, just having a laugh like we do in England, just busting his balls and taking a piss as we say.

“But he has since said a few remarks about me in a disrespectful manner. If people are talking smack about you as a journalist, you would take it personally.”

(Bisping has obviously never seen a journalist’s e-mail account or listened to one’s voice mail messages, when on most days, douche bag would be considered a compliment).

The profound way: Henderson is the only mixed martial artist to concurrently hold two titles in two different weight classes in a major MMA promotion, having carved his reputation in PRIDE and now hoping he has enough left to claim a UFC championship.

Bisping is 18-1 and was the Ultimate Fighter 3 champion in 2006, but while wins against Chris Leben and Jason Day and Charles McCarthy might help build a reputation, they certainly won’t cement one. Beating a fighter the caliber of Henderson would begin such a process.

The winner on Saturday at Mandalay Bay likely steps in line to next face middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who submitted Henderson at UFC 82 in March of 2008. Those chances don’t arise often, not for someone with 40 well in sight.

But his is a body telling Henderson there is mileage remaining, that while all those years as a college and Olympic wrestler might have expedited the aging process, fighting a few times a year in MMA has been far better than five times a day in a wrestling tournament.

The Henderson way: “UFC 17 seems like a long time ago,” he said. “When I first got into fighting MMA, I didn’t have many goals. I just wanted to make a little money and do my thing and then probably be a wrestling coach or go to chiropractic school. It was like with a stripper, just do it a few years … But then I started making the money, and here I am.

“I’m ready to go. I’m ready to beat his ass. I think he’s an OK guy. He talks a little too much for my liking. I really haven’t said that many bad things about him.

“Other than, you know, he’s a douche bag.”

OK then.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618.