In a sport where extravagant nicknames are the norm, it says a lot about Dan Henderson that after 16 years as a professional mixed martial artist he still goes by the unpretentious moniker of ‘Hendo.’ The 42-year-old might be one of the most successful fighters in the history of the sport, but he likes to keep things simple, and as he prepares for his main event match-up with Rashad Evans at UFC 161, Henderson wants to talk wrestling. Before he was a UFC middleweight tournament winner, Pride welterweight Grand Prix winner, Pride welterweight champion, Pride middleweight champion or Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Henderson was a world-class Greco Roman wrestler who twice went to the Olympics. He was recently inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in his native California. This might not have made headlines in the same way MMA news does, but for a fervent supporter of the sport such as Henderson the low-key ceremony was a source of pride. “It’s a great honor, especially for something I am so passionate about,” he told MMAWeekly.com. Henderson twice finished runner-up in the Greco Roman World Cup and claimed a gold medal at the Pan Asian Games in 2000, but this sporting success didn’t translate to financial stability until he transitioned from wrestling into MMA. “MMA gives wrestlers an opportunity to make money like never before
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Dan Henderson Intends Another Run at UFC Title, but Retirement Plan is Already in Place – MMA Weekly