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07/01/09 - Hendo: I'm going to take Franklin down and beat the shit out of him
Dan Henderson (23-7) believes he is a more well-rounded fighter than Rich Franklin (24-3-1) and intends to prove as much when they meet in the Octagon next week.
“I want to dominate him striking, in the clinch, taking him down, ground and pound... I want to dominate him everywhere, that is my goal,” says the former Pride FC double-champion.
“I think the fight will go everywhere but, technically, I think I am better than him – I have more tools, I should say.”
Henderson acknowledges that Franklin is known for his striking ability, but says “that’s about it” when it comes to assessing his all-round skills.
“I think I have more dimensions as an MMA fighter, so if he is for some reason beating me up on my feet, I am going to take him down and beat the shit out of him there,” Henderson explains.
Franklin has only been stopped by two men in a 27-fight career – Anderson Silva, who took his middleweight crown, and Lyoto Machida, who scored a TKO win some years ago when Franklin fought at light-heavyweight.
But Henderson – who is one of a select few fighters that have put the fearsome Wanderlei Silva to sleep – is not fazed by Franklin’s durability.
“I do want to finish him,” the Team Quest fighter says with an earnest look in his eye. “The fact that he is going to be hard to finish makes it more motivating.”
The two headline UFC 93 at Dublin’s O2 Arena on Saturday 17th January, while the undercard sees a long-awaited rematch between Mark Coleman and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.
John Joe O’Regan
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