Dan Henderson Returns to Action at UFC 88 in Atlanta

After losing his last two fights, Dan "Hollywood" Henderson looks to rebound in Atlanta, GA on Sept. 6 at UFC 88.

One might start to question a fighter's ability after dropping two consecutive bouts. MMA isn't really a sport where athletes rebound easily from slumps.

Relax. He has lost two in a row, but they were both title fights, and they were in two different weight divisions.

The first was to UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and the second was to the fighter that many consider the best pound for pound fighter in the world, UFC Middleweight Champ Anderson Silva.

So Henderson hasn't exactly been dropping fights to tomato can opponents. Let's take a look at his record to clear up any confusion.

Henderson is best known as a wrestler. No not the kind that "hit" each other with chairs and use fake blood. He is a two-time Olympian Greco Roman wrestler.

He is also a three-time winner of the Senior Division National Championship, a Junior World Champion, a three-time medalist in the Pan American games with one gold, two-time World Cup Silver medalist, and a three-time USA University National Champion.

Get it? The guy can wrestle.

Next question: "Yea, but that doesn't always translate to MMA—how is he as a fighter?" 

Answer: Not bad. He only has two wins in the UFC and hasn't won a fight with the company in 10 years, but he has been busy in that time.

Henderson, from Temecula, CA, is the only man ever to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously. After winning the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships 183-pound title in 2005, he went on to knockout Wanderlei Silva in February of 2007 to win the 205-pound title as well, making history in his sport.

He rolled up 13 wins during his time with PRIDE, with another seven wins coming in other promotions.

Because of his versatility, Henderson is often mentioned among the best pound for pound fighters in the world.

With an overall MMA record of 22-7, Hollywood has racked up wins over some of the best in the business: the aforementioned Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, current UFC Heavyweight Champ Antonio Nogueira, Murilio Rua, Renato Sobral, and Renzo Gracie, whose familiy pioneered the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

As much as Henderson is known as a wrestler, he only has one win by submission, with 10 coming by way of knockout. He's not just a puncher with weight on one big haymaker—he has proven knockout power in both hands.

He has suffered seven career defeats, but they were all either by submission or decision. With one of the stiffest chins in the business, Henderson has never been knocked out.

On Sept. 6 in Atlanta, Henderson will face off against a fighter who is pretty good in his own right.

Submission specialist Rousimar Palhares brings an impressive 17-1 record into the contest. While the names of his opponents aren't quite as impressive as Henderson's, Palhares is a dangerous fighter.

The key to the fight is whether Palhares can get the fight to the mat before Henderson connects on a home run shot. Even if he does make it to the ground, Heno isn't exactly out of his element.

If Henderson wins the fight, it will be the first step towards the top of the middleweight division and another shot at Anderson Silva's title.