Uppercut Magazine.com - Boxing & MMA - UFC 139 Results

By Don Avila

Even before Dan “Hendo” Henderson stepped in the Octagon against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua expectations hit zenith proportions.

Was anyone disappointed?

Henderson out-lasted Brazil’s Rua in a slugfest pitting two of mixed martial arts toughest competitors last Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Ultimate Fighting Championship 139 did not disappoint, but it did exceed even the loftiest expectations.

Temecula’s Henderson has exhibited an uncanny ability to remain a viable force in the light heavyweight division with that hammering right hand that could knock out a rhino.

It almost knocked out Rua.

Brazil’s equivalent to a rhino absorbed some hellish blows then displayed a remarkable ability to rebound and nearly topple Henderson into Never-never land. Twitterers were going berserk including UFC president Dana White.

“I cannot swear enough to describe this fight,” said White in Twitter. “You have to be kidding me. What a war!”

That pretty much described everyone’s amazement on Saturday as California’s Henderson and Brazil’s Rua rocked each other back and forth like piñatas.

“Was an honor to share the Octagon with Shogun Rua,” said Henderson on Twitter on Sunday. “Nothing but respect for him.”

When two warriors put out their blood, sweat and tears like Rua and Henderson, it makes you wonder how anyone could ever doubt their abilities.

“Thanks for all that support and cheered for me,” Rua said on Sunday. “Now it’s time to rest with my family.”

Two fighters never deserved it more and their flaming battle was deemed co-“Fight of the Night.”

White had said before the fight that the winner could possibly be next in line to fight UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones. Henderson won the fight so we’ll see what transpires in the next month.

During the post fight press conference White was still in disbelief from the battle.

“That was our Ali-Frazier III,” White said. “It was just unbelievable.”

Wanderlei

The other Brazilian warrior Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva won a rather Pyrrhic battle in defeating San Jose prizefighter Cung Le by second round knockout. Despite the win and co-“Fight of the Night” a call has been given for the old fighter to retire.