Pros react to Dan Henderson retiring from mixed martial arts

The mixed martial arts world said goodbye to a living legend on Saturday night, as future Hall of Famer Dan Henderson announced his formal retirement from MMA.

Henderson nearly left the game on top, falling just inches away from snatching Michael Bisping's UFC middleweight belt in the main event of UFC 204. But regardless, Henderson walks away as one of the most accomplished fighters in the history of the sport, and his fellow fighters gave him a sendoff befitting of the icon he is.

@danhendo you are a warrior like none other. One of the greatest fighters this sport with ever see. Been an honor my friend.

— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 9, 2016

True champion, old monster. #DanHenderson #Inspiration #Belts #Champ #Pride⚡️ https://t.co/s2ndW7r0KB

— Dudu Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) October 9, 2016

Congratulations on an amazing career @danhendo #legend

— Cung Le (@CungLe185) October 9, 2016

Thank you @danhendo #Hendo

— Coach (@CMPunk) October 9, 2016

@danhendo still my hero #ufc204

— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) October 9, 2016

Thank you to @DanH for every lesson he's tought to all us young uninexperienced fighters like myself. #GOAT #UFC204

— Will Brooks (@TRILLwillbrooks) October 9, 2016

@danhendo best career ever #ufc204

— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) October 9, 2016

Win Lose or Draw @danhendo is a OG! Thanks for all the years of #Greatness u are the definition of leaving it all in the cage! @UFC #ufc204

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) October 9, 2016

Dan Henderson MMA legend, hall of famer #pride #strikeforce #ufc what a great card that was #UFC204

— Paul Sass (@Paul_Sass) October 9, 2016

I'm so amazed! Almost 50years old and fought a 5 round fight like a G. #hendonation

— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) October 9, 2016

Dan Henderson. One of the best of all time. What an amazing athlete/fighter. #UFCManchester

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 9, 2016

I only wish I can leave the legacy that @danhendo has left behind in this sport... I'm going do the best I can to get close to it.

— Will Brooks (@TRILLwillbrooks) October 9, 2016

@danhendo thank you for an amazing career. Your a legend and should have retired @UFC champ as well #robbed

— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 9, 2016

One of the baddest man on the planet just retire !!! #Hendo #Hbomb @ufc

— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) October 9, 2016

Henderson is a legend #ufc204

— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) October 9, 2016

Big respect for you @danhendo I grew up watching your fights. You fought against a lot of my… https://t.co/T0MUAtH85Y

— Roan Jucao (@jucao) October 9, 2016

Congrats @danhendo on one hell of a career. You're one of the reasons I got into this sport. You're a true inspiration and champion #UFC204

— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) October 9, 2016

Thank you @danhendo! A true legend in our sport. Honored to have been on the same fight card as you at UFC 139. Much respect! #UFC204 #HOF pic.twitter.com/RZj7pVy2tm

— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) October 9, 2016

If there was a Mount Rushmore for Mma @danhendo would be on it.

— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) October 9, 2016

@danhendo you have done so much for the sport. You are one of the greatest of all time. #notoverthehill

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 9, 2016

Thank you @danhendo .. @ufc

— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) October 9, 2016

Respect #hendo you've done a lot for the sport ! Have a great retirement #ufc204 @danhendo pic.twitter.com/wzwWVHbZBO

— Nordine Taleb (@TNT83MMA) October 9, 2016