Does Dan Henderson Have What It Takes to Beat Jon Jones?

Dan Henderson is one of the most accomplished fighters to ever step foot in the Octagon.  

While the majority of his biggest career wins came in his Pride days, the fact remains that the Hendo holds quality victories over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping and Fedor Emelianenko.  

At 41-years-old, Henderson showed he is still a force by winning the Strikeforce light heavyweight title last year, and has since been able to convince Dana White to give him one more shot with the world's premiere fight organization. 

Henderson's comeback fight comes against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139, and in a radio interview with MMA Weekly, the former Olympian Greco-Roman wrestler said he is already looking at a potential fight with 205-pound champ Jon Jones. 

Does Henderson, 17 years the elder of Jones, really stand a chance against one of the sport's most promising up-and-coming talents?

Head-to-toe breakdowns on this potential fight have been done time and time again, so let's instead take a look at the intangibles between these two fighters.  

Experience

The one area where Hendo has an indisputable advantage.  

While "Bones" deserves a ton of credit for already winning a championship and having 15 fights under his belt at the age of 24, that can't compare to Henderson's 38 professional fights in a storied 14-year career. 

Jones may very easily live up to the expectations of being one of the greatest of all time, but beating a living legend like Henderson at this point in his career could prove to be a daunting task.

Jones is yet to reach his prime, while Hendo is at the top of his game right now.  

Athleticism

Jon Jones is clearly an athletic freak, showcasing innovative striking and rarely seen wrestling and Judo throws in almost every single one of his fights. 

Even in his 20s, Henderson was not really regarded as a tremendous physical specimen.  He was more considered an incredibly tough dude with a workhorse mentality.  

Hard work and dedication will get any athlete far, but genetic gifts from God are often what separate the good from the great.  

Jon Jones certainly appears to be one genetically gifted individual, based on what fight fans have seen from him thus far.  

Clutchness

Given the varying experience levels, this one is difficult to judge at a glance, but the playing field can be leveled by simply looking at Henderson's record and accomplishments through his first 15 fights. 

Through Hendo's first 15 fights, all of which were contested under the Pride banner, he compiled a 12-3 record. 

He defeated high profile fighters in Carlos Newton, Gilbert Yvel, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renato Sobral.  

His losses came at the hands of top-notch competition in Wanderlei Silva, Ricardo Arona and lost a rematch to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via armbar.  

During this five year time frame, Henderson won the UFC 17 middleweight tournament and the 1999 Rings King of Kings tournament. 

Meanwhile, Bones Jones has defeated competition such as Stephan Bonnar, Brandon Vera, Vladimir Matyushenko, Ryan Bader, Mauricio Rua and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.  

Jones' victory over Rua at UFC 128 earned him the UFC light heavyweight championship, making him the youngest title-holder in UFC history at 23 years old.  

His submission victory over Rampage at UFC 135 was just the second time Jackson had ever tapped out, and the first time in over 10 years someone notched a submission win over the former UFC title holder. 

Additionally, Jones' sole loss thus far in his career was a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill for using "12 to 6" elbows. 

Jones was thoroughly dominating the fight up to that point, and even Hamill has gone on the record saying that fight did not feel like a win in his eyes. 

Conclusion

Armed with a good wrestling base, heavy hands, an iron chin and a ton of experience, Dan Henderson would certainly provide a great test for Jon Jones. 

However, Jones' undeniable athleticism and talent will likely be over Henderson's head at this stage of his career. 

In a battle of two potential UFC Hall of Famers from two different eras, the aggressive style of Hendo may give Jones all he can handle, but in the end the young prodigy would weather the storm and defeat the Team Quest co-founder.