Sherdog’s Top 10Sherdog’s Top 10: Wanderlei Silva Moments (Good, Bad & Ugly)
Number 8
Dan
Henderson tasted defeat for the first time at Pride 12. | File
Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
8. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FIRST KIND
Entering his fight with Wanderlei Silva at Pride 12, Dan Henderson held an undefeated record and had emerged victorious in the prestigious Rings “King of Kings” tournament against Gilbert Yvel, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renato Sobral.
Much like Silva-Vitor Belfort at UFC 17.5, the matchup was anticipated to be a barnburner; this time, the fight lived up to the hype.
The story of the scrap was Silva’s perseverance in the face of adversity, as Henderson managed to hurt “The Axe Murderer” with his patented right hand in the first round, opening the Brazilian’s eye and causing a hematoma to sprout from his face. Slowly but surely, however, Silva implemented his game plan and started to land his own punches. Henderson began showing signs of slowing down, allowing Silva to get the better of the exchanges and nullifying the wrestling of the two-time Olympian in the process. While Silva’s face was not immune to Henderson’s attacks, the judges ruled unanimously in favor of the Brazilian.
The win kicked off a period of four years in which Silva did not suffer a loss.
Number 7 » Clash of the Titans
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