MMA: Dan Henderson and the Top Fighters Pushing 40 and over
In any sport, one of the hardest decisions for athletes to make is when to decide they can’t perform like they used to. Too often guys hold on to their past glory instead of getting out with their health intact.
This is especially true for MMA, as the physical stress from training alone brings much wear and tear to the body.
Dan Henderson defied the odds by becoming the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion at age 40. Henderson is one of the few guys who have been successful despite being one of the older guys in the sport.
Here’s a look at some of the other guys performing well at an older age.
Honorable Mentions
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Matt Hughes
Record: 45-8
Age: 37
Matt Hughes is one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. A two-time welterweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Hughes has won the most fights in UFC history. He's also beaten every other UFC welterweight champion, with they exception of Pat Miletich.
Hughes seemed to be on a career up-rise until he was knocked out by B.J. Penn in 21 seconds. After the loss, Hughes hinted at retirement.
Rich "Ace" Franklin
Record: 28-6 (1)
Age: 36
Although Ace has traded wins and losses in his last five fights, he continues be one of the toughest fighters in the UFC. A former UFC middleweight champion, Rich's only losses have come to former or current UFC champions.
Chris "Lights Out" Lytle
Record: 30-18-5
Age: 36
Although he has never fought for a title, Chris Lytle is tied for the most UFC fight bonuses, including five Fight of the Night awards. Lytle fought with a lot of heart in his last fight considering he had surgery just four weeks before the fight.
The loss to Brian Ebersole may have ended his title hopes as well as his career. If it has, Lytle will be remembered as one of the most exciting, classy, and toughest fighters ever in the UFC.
Herschel Walker
Record: 2-0
Age: 49
Though he may not have a long run as an MMA fighter, for the former football great to even try MMA is beyond belief. Recently turning 49, Walker is in phenomenal shape for a man his age.
Dan “The Beast” Severn
2 of 7
Record: 98-16-7
Accomplishments: Two-time UFC Tournament winner, UFC Superfight champion, UFC Hall of Famer
Notable Wins: Ken Shamrock, Tank Abbott, Forrest Griffin
One of the true badasses of the sport, Dan “The Beast” Severn is 52, riding a nine-fight win streak, and still has one of the greatest mustaches in the world.
Severn may not be fighting in one of the top promotions in the world, but then again, he does not have to.
He’s one of the few guys who are over 50 and still putting wins on his resume.
He’s also a guy who is not fighting because he has to. He just loves to do it.
"The Beast" was one of the UFC's first stars, using his world-class wrestling as a base to dominate fighters.
Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk
3 of 7
Record: 36-4-1
Accomplishments: Former UFC lightweight champion
Notable Wins: Nick Diaz and Kenny Florian
At age 37, the Muscle Shark has one of the better records of anyone his age and over. All four of his loses have come to former or current UFC champions.
While his last win was a controversial split decision over Evan Dunham, it proved that Sherk could still hang with some of the top younger guys.
This is not the first time controversy has surrounded Sherk’s career, as he tested positive for steroids after his fight with Hermes Franca.
Ever since, Sherk has been clean.
As of late he’s been plagued with nagging injuries, which could be a sign that he’s coming close to the end of his career. Despite this, he’s still been able to compete in the cage.
Shane Carwin
4 of 7
Record: 12-1
Accomplishments: Former UFC interim heavyweight champion
Notable Wins: Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga
Shane Carwin beat himself in his last fight. Brock Lesner just took advantage of it. Had Carwin not gassed himself out, he could possibly be the current UFC heavyweight champion.
Finishing all of his fights in the first round, Carwin has been impressive since beginning his MMA career in 2005.
The UFC’s heavyweight division has some tough fighters, but it’s not the deepest division.
If he rebounds well from the Lesner fight, he could be back in a championship fight sooner than later.
At age 36, Carwin is a late bloomer in the game.
While it won’t be impossible to continue to fight at a high level, age and the amount of stress training and fighting puts on the body can take its toll on a fighter.
“The Natural” Randy Couture
5 of 7
Record: 19-10
Accomplishments: Three-time UFC heavyweight champion, two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, UFC 13 heavyweight tournament winner, UFC Hall of Famer
Notable Wins: Vitor Belfort, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Tim Sylvia
Much like Severn and Henderson, Captain American continues to perform at a high level.
Couture is 47, on a three-fight win streak (two if you don’t consider James Phoney a legit fight), and a win over Lyoto Machida could very well put him in position to go for one more title run.
Randy has defied the odds so much in his career. No one thought he could become a champion well into his 40s.
While that door seems like it’s closed again, I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow beat Machida. My gut and my mind tells me he won’t, but my heart tells me never doubt this man.
Anderson “The Spider” Silva
6 of 7
Record: 28-4
Accomplishments: Current UFC middleweight champion, most consecutive UFC wins (13), most successful consecutive and successful title defenses, eight UFC fight bonuses
Notable wins: Vitor Belfort, Forest Griffin, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin
Though he isn’t quite the age requirement for this list, Silva will turn 36 next month.
He once said he wanted to retire at age 36.
I think Silva will be eating those words much like Belfort ate his foot at UFC 126.
Silva is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and looked as dominant as ever in that fight.
His next fight could be against a little well-known French Canadian named Georges St-Pierre.
Silva versus GSP would one of, if not the, biggest superfights in MMA history. If Silva wins, he could truly say he’s the greatest pound-for-pound fighter today.
Dan Henderson
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Record: 27-8
Accomplishments: Last Pride middleweight and welterweight champion, 2005 Pride welterweight Grand Prix champion, UFC 17 middleweight tournament winner, current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, has never been KO’d
Notable wins: Michael Bisping, Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Dan Henderson has proven again why he’s an MMA Legend. At age 40, he became a world champion again, knocking out Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante.
Hendo used his powerful right hand once again to win.
We could have seen the same results almost a year ago when Henderson almost took out Jake Shields in the first round of their championship fight.
Although he didn’t get the win, Henderson did not give up his title hopes. Jumping back to light heavyweight, Henderson made quick work of “Babalu” Sobral.
Last night, Hendo proved why he’s still a dangerous fighter, and why you can’t always doubt an older fighter.
No one has had a successful title defense of the Strikeforce heavyweight title, though. Henderson will look to change that as he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
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