UFC fighter Dan Henderson knows something about the value of title belts, as the only person who's ever simultaneously held the titles of two different weight classes in a major MMA promotion. So it's noteworthy that Henderson isn't happy about an inexperienced fighter, Brock Lesnar, being the UFC heavyweight champion:
"It kind of demeans the UFC belt," Henderson said of Lesnar being champion. "He's 3-1 and he's the UFC champion. It kind of diminishes the value of the belt a little bit. Not saying he's not tough, but there are a number of Top 10 guys out there in the UFC or in MMA that would beat Brock right now, not for any other reason than lack of experience on Brock's part."
I get what Henderson is saying, and when Lesnar first entered the UFC, I had some of the same reservations about him. But Lesnar has combined his freakish athleticism with a great work ethic to develop himself into a legitimate MMA fighter, and I don't have a problem seeing Lesnar with the belt around his waist.
Below is the second half of the Henderson interview.
Dan Henderson interview, Part 2:
Via TheFukerton.com.
Dan Henderson: Brock Lesnar Being Champ Diminishes the Value of the UFC Belt
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12/01/2008 12:21 PM ET By Michael David Smith
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- Michael David Smith
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Read More: MMA Videos UFC Brock+Lesnar, BrockLesnar, Dan+Henderson, DanHenderson
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Anybody who thinks lesnar is not a legit champ, step into the cage and take the belt from him.
Well put.
I mean people are banging on about other ppl being more deserving of a title shot....well who else is more deserving??
Gonzaga already got TKO'd by Randy
Kongo got beat by Herring
Herring got dominated by Lesnar
That only really leaves Velasquez...(he probs does deserve a shot...)
Personally I don't mind lthat esnar got a shot early.
Kongo and Carwin are much more deserving than Brock, but could Dana sell as many tickets? No
Pef - what does "Kongo got beat by Herring" have to do with anything ... you do know that Brock got beat by Mir, right? Don't start talking about how great Mir is ... he is totally unproven at this point in his career.
It's not whether he is legit; it's whether he deserved a shot at the Championship (after 3 fights) in the first place -- absolutely not. He happened to be lucky enough to be a part of a new hype to build a new start -- and he took advantage of it. Nothing against him -- but it does diminish the credibility. Which is bad overall for the sport.
Personnally nogueira has been the champ to me for some time. I fully recognize Brocks wins vs top heavyweights such has herring and couture
I think bottom line is that the winner of Mir/Nogueira vs Brock should be considered champ of the UFC and whoever is next well take it away from them if you do not like it
Lesnar is big, strong, and can fight. One hell of a guy to beat.
http://www.fromthecage.com
I would hope that any MMA purist agrees, at least somewhat, with Dan ... the value of the belt is definitely diminished.
You can't just show up at Cesar Gracie's Jiu Jitsu academy, roll for a few hours, and get a black belt in BJJ. Likewise Brock should have had to prove himself in the cage before getting a shot at the UFC title. Wins over Kim and Herring aren't enough to earn someone the right to fight for the title. The fact that Brock (a newbie) & Randy (an oldie) is the best fight that the UFC could put together speaks volumes about the state of the heavyweight division.
Brock received special treatment because of his drawing power. When is the last time you saw someone with a 1-0 record enter the Octagon?
Eric...
I know what you are getting at but Mir is already getting a title shot anyway.
Hello people?!?! Is everyone here completely forgetting the fact that Randy "The Natural" Couture had his first title shot 4 fights in ?!?! Not just 4 fights into the UFC, 4 fights into his MMA career, exactly like Lesnar.
3 of Randy's first four opponents had a combined record of 13-13 (cans) throw in Vitor and it's 30-21 a 70% loss ratio. The first 4 fighters for Randy were: Tony Halme 0-1, Steven Graham 1-1, Maurice Smith 12-11, Vitor Belfort 17-8. Half of those guys didn't last more then two fights in MMA.
Lesnar got his title shot 4 fights in as well. Combined record of the fighters he has fought: 58-32 for a loss ratio of 55%. The fighters Lesnar fought in his first 4 fights have twice the experience that Couture's did. Min Soo Kim 3-6, Mir 11-3, Herring 28-14 and Couture 16-9. Not to mention two had the heavy weight belt around their waist at some point.
Yeah Lesnar is moving quickly through the ranks, but he has faced one can and all his other opponents are seasoned veterans with winning records in MMA.
So think twice when you think it's ridiculous that Lesnar had a title shot so early. He isn't the only fighter that got this chance.
I didn't bother reading all of your stats ... as most others won't either.
10 years ago was a different time and place in MMA!
Well thats fine... Wayne Gretzky's points record was a different time in Hockey and so was the NFL when Jerry Rice set his records. Does that make the stats unimportant all of a sudden???
I understand you may disagree with me... But chosing not to read the whole post and then passing judgement on it means you don't even know what you are responding to.
Your points are unfounded.
How long have the NFL and NHL been around? Rhetorical question, you don't have to answer. A long time ... that's the answer.
MMA is still a new sport, and it was in it's infancy when Randy fought for the title in his fourth fight.
The fact that he is one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the UFC only speaks to the weakness of the UFC's heavyweight division.
And don't get all bent out of shape Leon, you don't have to read my posts if you don't want to ...
UFC HW division isn't that strong true. But, it does have the number 2 ranked HW in the world in Minotauro. I am reserving any judgement on Lesnar until he defends the title against Mir or Minotauro. If he wins, then you can't argue that he isn't good. If he loses, well it shows that he is still inexperiened and he'll need to take it slow from then on.
It is funny how fans complain about guys like Kimbo getting tomatoe cans in all their fights. Then when a guy like Lesnar comes along and fights 3 of his first 4 fights against MMA vets with winning records, they complain that he is being given too big of fights early on. So whats the deal here?
I have never said that he isn't good, or that he isn't dangerous at heavyweight ... my point has always been that he wasn't deserving of a title shot after only 3 fights.
I think the winner of Nog vs. Mir will take the belt from him.
Broc Lesnar is the ultimate fighting machine! He won the belt i 4 ufc fights. But remember he fought in other rings b4 he joined
the UFC.Would you say he is DANGEROUS.. I would!
You're obviously not familiar with his career.
He had 1 fight before the UFC (Kim), and he has had 3 fights in the UFC (Mir, Herring, Couture). That's it!
who's next in line for a title shot? golddust?
LMAO....good one....or maybe Doink!