Dan Henderson, one of the most experienced and respected veterans in the sport, began his fighting career back in 1997 when he competed in and won the Brazil Open 1997 Lightweight Tournament. “Hendo,” as he is often known, then entered the UFC and went on to win the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament in 1998. An even bigger accomplishment followed the next year, when he defeated four men, including Gilbert Yvel, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Renato “Babalu” Sobral en route to winning the 1999 RINGS King of Kings Tournament, a little-remembered tournament that nonetheless ranks as one of the toughest ever organized.

Henderson did not truly found his legacy, however, until he entered the Japan-based Pride Fighting Championships in 2000, where he went on to defeat notable fighters such as Renzo Gracie, Murilo Bustamante (twice), Vitor Belfort, and Wanderlei Silva, winning the promotion’s coveted 185 lb. and 205 lb. championship belts before it ceased operations in 2007. Henderson then moved on to the UFC, defeating the likes of Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping before signing with the California-based Strikeforce promotion in 2009.

A California native, Henderson won the California State Wrestling Championships in 1987 and 1988 before competing in the NCAA championships in 1993. Although he is versed in traditional wrestling, Henderson is one of the best practitioners of the Greco-Roman style of wrestling to ever compete in mixed martial arts, having won spots on the 1992 and 1996 United States Olympic Teams. In addition to his wrestling skills, the remarkably powerful Henderson is blessed with one-punch knockout power, which he demonstrated in replay-worthy knockout wins over Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bipsing. A beast of a competitor, Henderson is rarely bested, is unbelievably durable, and has never been knocked out in his professional career. He is one of the best in the sport.