Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson 3: A Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Two rivals square off in the middleweight main event of UFC Fight Night 77 on Saturday when old lions Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson clash.

No. 4-ranked middleweight Belfort returned from a long layoff earlier this year when he met Chris Weidman at UFC 187, but his bid for the title ended in less than three minutes. No. 12-ranked Henderson is just 2-5 in his last seven bouts. Yet this fight remains meaningful.

The third fight in this series will keep the winner in the mix at 185 pounds and likely signal the end of the road for the loser. High stakes, indeed.

The two former champions first met in 2006 at Pride 32, where Henderson won a decision victory. They collided again seven years later at UFC Fight Night 32, where Belfort knocked out Hendo.

How will the third fight go?

This is your head-to-toe breakdown for the Belfort-Henderson trilogy that comes to a close this weekend in Brazil.

Striking

Andre Penner/Associated Press

The worst-kept secret in MMA is how one-dimensional Henderson is on his feet, but he still finds ways to win exchanges. That is thanks in large part to the power in his right hand.

Belfort is not one-dimensional. In fact, as he got older he added to his repertoire. He beat Michael Bisping and Henderson with head kicks, but nothing was as spectacular as his spinning back-kick knockout of Luke Rockhold. And his hands are still as dangerous as they ever have been.

The speed differential should also come into play Saturday as well. Belfort is much quicker than Henderson.

Belfort's speed and versatility separate him from his opponent. He is one of the most lethal strikers in MMA history. Henderson has the ability to land the one-punch KO, but that is just about all he has to offer.

Edge: Belfort

Grappling

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Henderson has a good resume in regard to his wrestling, but to suggest it has been elite in recent years is a lie.

Belfort's grappling is underrated, but it's nothing spectacular. And it's not his game. When was the last time he completed a takedown? 2007 vs. James Zikic at Cage Rage 23. Eight years is a long time. Belfort is still strong in the clinch, but do not expect him to initiate much body-on-body contact.

Henderson still holds the edge in this department against Belfort. He should win most of the clinch battles, and that could be key as he tries to wear Belfort down in the main event.

The thing to watch in the potential grappling exchanges between the two veterans is Belfort's takedown defense. Will he be able to stay on his feet, and if he gets taken down how quickly can he get back up? Those big questions could decide the fight.

Edge: Henderson

Submissions

Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Just like wrestling and using the clinch to take down opponents aren't part Belfort's game, submissions aren't part of Henderson's.

Henderson's last victory by submission was in 1999, and that was due to a knee to the body. His last true submission was in 1997. He almost loses this category by default.

On the other side of the cage stands Belfort, a quality submission stylist. He can explode into a submission attempt almost out of the blue—just ask Jon Jones. Belfort's jiu-jitsu has gone overlooked because of his striking. Fans love to see him obliterate opponents on the feet and forget just how talented he is on the canvas.

Belfort is clearly the better submission artist.

Edge: Belfort

X-Factors

Stacy Revere/ Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Belfort's X-Factor: Competing Without TRT

How Belfort would compete without TRT was a big question entering his fight with Weidman earlier this year, and that did not go well. However, Belfort started hot, and the champion quickly put him on the mat.

Was the performance a result of being without TRT? Fighting the best middleweight in the world? Cage rust? A combination of all those factors?

Saturday will likely give us a better look into this X-factor. Belfort looked unstoppable while he was on TRT, and Henderson was one of his victims. This could be a good fight to compare the results between The Phenom on and off the therapy.

Henderson's X-Factor: How Much Damage Can He Sustain?

The former Pride two-division champion used to be known for his chin, but age has a way of taking that away. And in recent fights he has been knocked out twice and rocked numerous times. How much more can he take?

He has taken some big shots during his career, and he may have reached his limit in what he can handle—especially from someone like Belfort.

Prediction

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

I thought I was going to side with Henderson when I began researching and writing this breakdown. I thought Belfort going off TRT would allow Henderson to wear him out and finish him, but now I think the Brazilian walks out on top.

The tipping point is just how much punishment Henderson has taken. Belfort will get some offense in whether it's a blitz in the opening minute or a more tactical approach. Either way, eventually he will hit Henderson, and the old dog probably can't take it.

It is still a winnable fight for Henderson. Belfort does get tired quickly, and a few takedowns could drastically alter this fight. But Belfort will stuff a few early attempts and force Henderson into exchanges. Quicker hands are the difference as he avoids the H-Bomb and puts Henderson out in the first round.

Time will tell if he can work himself back into the title picture, but a win will at least keep him in the discussion.

Prediction: Belfort defeats Henderson by TKO in the first round.