Shogun Rua vs. Dan Henderson: Should the Winner Get a Title Shot?

Two of MMA’s most dangerous strikers will get their chance to meet in what could be a title eliminator match.

According to MMAWeekly.com, Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 139.

Henderson, Strikeforce’s light heavyweight champion, will be making his second return to the UFC after defeating Fedor Emelianenko back in July.

Rua is coming off of a big KO victory over Forrest Griffin.  

A win for either man should put him in title contention.

Henderson has been in this position before. After winning both the Pride middleweight (205 lbs.) and welterweight (183 lbs.) titles, Henderson faced off against UFC champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Anderson Silva to unify their titles.

Henderson came up short in both bouts, but went on to win three straight, including a memorable knockout victory over Michael Bisping at UFC 100.

Like Henderson, Rua is a former Pride champion, winning the Pride middleweight tournament in 2005.

Since entering the UFC, Rua has had his fair share of ups and downs.

Rua is 4-3 in the UFC, and has nearly traded wins and losses.

All four of Rua’s wins are by KO, including his UFC light heavyweight championship fight again Lyoto Machida.

While a win for either man should put them in the mix.

Every man Rua has defeated in the UFC is a former champion while Henderson was Strikeforce’s most recent light heavyweight champion. 

With Rashad Evans in place to challenge the winner of Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson, the winner of Henderson vs. Rua should be next in line.