If reports out of Brazil are to be believed a rematch to 2011’s ‘Fight Of The Year’ between Dan Henderson and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is currently in the works.
According to the TATAME website, the UFC are targeting the rematch as the headliner for an as-yet unannounced Fight Night card in Brazil on March 23rd.
The last time the two light-heavyweight’s locked horns it was a thrilling slug-fest from start to finish with both men being in danger of being stopped at various moments over the course of five rounds before Henderson emerged as the winner by unanimous decision.
Things haven’t gone either fighter’s way since that night though, with Henderson in particular having slumped to a three-fight losing streak, including being knocked out for the first time in his career last time out courtesy of a Vitor Belfort head kick.
‘Shogun’ has fared slightly better, earning victories over Brandon Vera and James Te Huna, though sandwiched in-between times he lost to Alexander Gustafsson and Chael Sonnen.
Potentially standing in the way of the fight at this stage is that Henderson’s contract is currently up for renewal, and according to the former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion, the UFC are playing hardball with him over his new deal which is apparently more than 50% less than the flat $250,000 salary he was on previously.
The fact that they already have this fight penciled in suggests that a deal is not far off being completed though.
