Ariel Helwani Interviews Dan Henderson Before His Fight with Fedor Emelianenko

Strikeforce returns this Saturday with a featured matchup in the heavyweight division between MMA legends Fedor Emelianenko (31-3) and current Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson (27-8).

Ariel Helwani of MMAfighting.com recently caught up with Henderson to discuss his thoughts on the fight and current topics in MMA.

"I know that I needed another fight sometime in July and there wasn't really a clear opponent for me at light-heavyweight," said the 40-year-old, who won the LHW title after defeating Rafael Cavalcante in March. "For whatever reason, they asked me if I wanted to fight Fedor and I said 'sure.'"

"There was never a catchweight," Henderson said in response to confusion about whether or not the fight would be at a catchweight. "I never asked for one and I actually asked to make sure from the beginning that I didn't want a catchweight. There is no point in a catchweight. Why make him cut 10 pounds and then he is going to be just as heavy in the fight anyway."

The UFC veteran also talked about how much he'll weigh come fight night and the current losing streak of his opponent.

"I think something in there was lacking with him, and he's probably re-motivated," he continued in regards to Emelianenko's current two-fight losing streak. "I'd like to fight the Fedor that we all knew was there. I hope he comes in shape."

"He's wild with his punches," he continued. "Sometimes, he'll catch you and catch guys with wild punches, but it also leaves an opening quite a bit as well."

Other topics discussed include Henderson's current relationship with Dana White and the testosterone therapy situation with fighters.

The fight will air on Showtime on Saturday, July 30 at 10 p.m. ET.