#TFGInterview: Will decide about career after UFC 199 -Exclusive with Dan Henderson

UFC 199 is stacked with two title fights taking place in the main and co-main events of the night. However, the card runs deep and some of the undercard fights have the potential to be barnburners and features some of the biggest names in the sport.

One of those big names is none other than Dan Henderson. He is among the most revered names in the history of the sport, having held titles in multiple weight classes. In the midst of fight week, ‘Hendo’ took time to speak to The Fan Garage about his upcoming fight and what can we look forward to, with his clash against Hector Lombard this Saturday.

TFG: Following your last fight against Machida getting scrapped, you had spoken about Lombard as a potential opponent. What are your feelings on finally having to face him at this stage of your career and do you think he has a chance at 185lbs in the UFC?

Dan Henderson: When I was supposed to fight Machida and the fight fell out, I was told I would be instead fighting Hector (Lombard) and I wasn’t calling him out or anything, just what I was told.

I feel the Lombard fight is a much more exciting fight than Machida and he is also a guy who has fought at multiple weight classes. At 185 I believe it wouldn’t be that much of a weight cut for him, and while he isn’t tall as some of the other Middleweights, he is big and strong and wouldn’t be coming into this fight smaller than me, by any stretch.

TFG: You have been public about the fact that this fight is your last on the present contract with the UFC. Have you decided on what is in store for the future and are you planning on continuing to fight some more?

DH: No, that is something I will decide after this fight. I will get with Dana and discuss as to what my options are and see. Either way, I am going to need a paycheck (laughs) so I maybe fighting more or maybe do something else.

TFG: After it came out that Weidman was injured, Bisping was called in to replace him in the main event of this card. You have a memorable KO win over him, which makes us wonder if you threw your name into the mix when the UFC was scrambling for a new opponent for Rockhold?

DH: No, I have trained with Luke a number of times and he has come and trained with me for a few camps. I wasn’t really interested in fighting him and I already had a fight set up. But it will be interesting in seeing how Bisping will fare against Luke this time, though I think Luke will beat him up again

TFG: Your old training partner Chael Sonnen has started a new grappling promotion ‘Submission Underground’ with a few UFC guys set to participate in it. Will we see Dan Henderson ever put on his wrestling shoes again for a pure grappling contest anytime?

DH: We will see, it depends on what they can pay me! (laughs). Chael better come up with some money!

TFG: Speaking of which, in a recent podcast, Nate Quarry, and Sonnen reminisced about the time Chris Leben and yourself went at it in the gym during a sparring session after you felt that Leben was gloating behind your back about getting the better of you. Any memory of that which you would care to elaborate for the newer fans?

DH: Not really you know. Its training and I used to have it a lot where the guys if they did well or not too bad against me, they are happy about it.

Leben was a tough guy, had a hard head and could hit hard as well. He was a good training partner and those were fun times!

You can watch UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping @ 7.30am on Sunday, 5th June 2016 LIVE AND EXCLUSIVELY ON Sony SIX & SIX HD