Las Vegas, Nevada â Former PRIDEÂŽ and STRIKEFORCEÂŽ champion (No. 6) Dan Henderson will take on surging title contender (No. 5) Daniel Cormier in a highly-anticipated light heavyweight clash at UFCÂŽ 173 on Saturday, May 24 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The Henderson-Cormier bout will serve as the nightâs co-main event.
Coming off an impressive KO victory against Mauricio âShogunâ Rua in March, Henderson (30-11, fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) proved he still has what it takes to compete with the UFCâs best. Currently ranked sixth in the division, Henderson owns career victories over some of the sportâs top names, including Fedor Emelianenko, Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin and Rafael âFeijĂŁoâ Cavalcante. Now, he looks to derail Cormier and move closer to a coveted UFC title shot.
Undefeated in his professional career and currently ranked fifth in the UFCâs talented 205-pound division, Cormier (14-0, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) made his light heavyweight debut in February by knocking out Patrick Cummins. A teammate and training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, âDCâ holds signature victories over former UFC champions Josh Barnett and Frank Mir. A victory over MMA legend Henderson on May 24 could secure him a date with the UFC light heavyweight champion.