On final fight of his UFC contract, Dan Henderson discusses his fighting future

Former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson (31-14 MMA) is about to complete his contract with the UFC when he squares off with former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in a middleweight bout at UFC on FOX 19 on April 19 in Tampa Bay, Florida.

“Hendo” is coming off a knockout loss to former UFC champion Vitor Belfort which occurred at UFC Fight Night 77 this past November in Brazil. Prior to the setback, Henderson has snapped a two-fight losing skid by earning a brutal KO victory over Tim Boetsch in less than a minute at UFC Fight Night 68.

At 45-years-old, Henderson knows that he doesn’t have to many fights left, but rather than try and find the biggest “payday”, Hendo would like to finish his career under the UFC banner. His words to MMAFighting:

“I honestly haven’t thought about it (joining Bellator). I know that without having any fights left my contract with the UFC is an option, but I’m getting to the point where I’m not going to have too many more fights. I would like to end up fighting my last fight in the UFC.

We’ll see how things go after this fight. How things go in the fight probably makes a big difference as well. I’m getting definitely close to the end of my career.”

Dan Henderson will meet Lyoto Machida on the main card of this month’s UFC on FOX 19 event in Tampa Bay, Florida. Do you think “Hendo” can put “The Dragon” to sleep on April 19? Sound off PENN Nation!