Maurício Rua vs. Dan Henderson

The main event of UFC 139 featured a showdown between MMA legends and former Pride fighters Dan Henderson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the light heavyweight division. Both fighters were former champions across the Pride, UFC, and Strikeforce organizations. Henderson was coming in with impressive victories over Renato Sobral, Rafael Cavalcante, and Fedor Emelianenko. Rua had lost the UFC light heavyweight championship earlier that year, before avenging an earlier defeat against Forrest Griffin via first round knockout.

Rua landed first with a low kick. Shogun shot for a takedown, almost had it, but Henderson was able to gain position, look for front choke, and unload with a brutal barrage of punches that opened up a gash to the left of Rua's left eye. Henderson threw Shogun to the ground in a stunning opening to the fight. Shogun again looked for a takedown but was stuffed easily by Henderson. Rua covered up as Henderson attacked with combinations, then Rua landed a solid shot that had Henderson on the ground looking defensively for a single leg. Back to the feet in a tense and exciting first round. Rua pressed forward and landed a nice left hand, clinching up and throwing knees to the legs. The horn sounded while the fighters were clinched against the fence, likely going in Henderson's favor due to the brutal salvo of damaging punches early in the round.

A few missed strikes from both fighters in the second and Shogun clinched and pressed Dan against the fence. Henderson landed a right hand, a big uppercut, and shot to the body that had Rua briefly in trouble. Rua landed a nice combination but they appeared to have less of an impact than those of Henderson. Splitting from the clinch for long enough to both throw bombs, and again it appeared to be Henderson gaining the advantage. The pair were broken up by referee Josh Rosenthal with 30 seconds remaining. Neither fighter went for any offense in the final 10 seconds, both preferring to conserve energy.

The pair had some big exchanges to start the third. Shogun landed a big kick to the body, slipped out of a single leg takedown attempt from Henderson, momentarily tripped to the ground and popped back up. Henderson landed a big right a moment later, putting Rua onto his back. Henderson dove on top with big punches landing cleanly on a desperate and hurt Rua. Shogun was able to survive enough to attack for a heel hook. Henderson stood to his feet and Shogun leaned in, his face a bloody mess. Henderson delivered elbows to the head as Shogun worked for a takedown, and Rua was able to briefly gain dominant position, taking the back and punching away effectively. Henderson got back to his feet and ate a few nice punches from Shogun before the round ended.

Shogun shot for a single leg to begin the fourth round, had Henderson briefly down, but then in the scramble had his back taken by Henderson. Henderson secured a rear crucifix that Shogun was able to escape from back to his feet. Henderson plowed forward for a takedown, moving directly to side control. Shogun skillfully regained half-guard but was in trouble from a one-arm guillotine. Henderson ended up back in full-guard. Henderson backed out and came back down with a big punch. Shogun got back to his feet after turtling up, and with 2 minutes left in the round both fighters were exhausted. A huge uppercut landed by Rua, sending Henderson stumbling backwards. Rua landed another pair of shots with Henderson looking to be in trouble. Both fighters were exhausted, with Shogun able to score a takedown and immediately take full mount. Henderson, in deep trouble gave up his back but Rua lost position and ended up with Henderson on top in guard. Henderson landed an elbow right at the horn, closing the fourth round of an amazing, instant-classic fight.

In the first exchange of the fifth round, Shogun threw a strike, used a whizzer to stay in top position, and took full mount. Rua began unloading with punches, picking his spots to utilize energy and attack. Henderson regained half-guard with 3 minutes remaining in the fight. Rua passed to full mount again, attacked with punches, and almost had Henderson's back. Shogun again took full mount with Henderson apparently too tired to escape. Another flurry from Shogun, with Henderson then getting half-guard back in place. The final horn sounded with both fighters barely able to stand and raise their arms in victory after a grueling, epic battle.

All three judges scored the fight 48-47 for the winner by unanimous decision, Dan Henderson. Speaking with Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview, Henderson commented, "That guy can take an effing punch, I hit him hard and I thought I could finish him in the first two rounds, he fought strong and he finished strong, but I knew I had the first three rounds... Like I said, I hit him hard and clean a few times, I should have had him finished there, but the gas tank was running low at that point... it very well could be [the toughest fight of my career]."

Rogan also talked to Rua, who commented, "I'll perform better next time, thank you... Henderson was strong, congratulations for Dan Henderson... I'll train more jiu-jitsu and maybe I'll win the next one."

Although all three judges scored the contest a unanimous victory for Dan Henderson, many fighters and media, including Dana White scored the fight a draw, with Shogun winning the fifth round 10-8. Even with the controversial decision, many people consider this fight to be the greatest MMA fight of all time. In the post-fight interviews, Joe Rogan claimed the bout to be one of the most epic fights in UFC history and easily one of the greatest fights of all time, Dana White also added that the fight was one of his top 3 greatest fights ever. 

Following the fight, both fighters were suspended 180 days for their injuries. Rua was suspended for a possible skull fracture, and Henderson for a possible broken thumb. While most medical suspension can be lifted by a doctor's approval, Rua didn't fight again for another eight months. Likewise Henderson took some time off to wait for a fight with UFC Champion Jon Jones. That fight would have taken place ten months later, if he had not injured his knee in training.