Interview: Dan Hollywood Henderson 11/26/03
by John Merrill

I had a chance to talk with Dan Hollywood Henderson earlier today, just weeks after his victory over Murilo Bustamante in PRIDE Final Conflict. Dan had just returned from the East Coast after supporting fellow Team Quest member Matt Lindland in UFC 45. Heres what Dan had to say to us.

InsideFighting: How have things been going for you since Final Conflict?
Dan Henderson: Uh, well it kind of blows likeI got home and then had to go out to the UFC for a week or to Connecticut for the UFC to help a couple teammates out.

IF: Okay. Well, actually our fans have asked us to thank you this time for not jumping-up on the ropes to celebrate your victory.
DH: [laugh] Yeah, I got up there nice and slowly back down slowly.

IF: Im sure youre aware of what Murilo Bustamante has been saying about your fight with him. What do you think about his complaints?
DH: Uh, what exactly are his complaints?

IF: He had mentioned that he wanted to review the fight because he said the headbutt wasnt valid, and he said that he knew you didnt mean to do it.
DH: Well, I dont know, I just think thatit was a little bit of a head bang there, but I dont think it affected anything in the outcome of the fight.

IF: So you dont think that his headbutt complaint is legitimate?
DH: No, I mean, people bang heads all the time in fights and Ive been wrestling for so long that Ive seen so many people bang heads and, you know, nobody ever gets knocked-out from that. And you know, even if two people are shooting-in and bang heads the only thing that ever happens is that you might get split-open a little bit, but nobody ever gets knocked-out. And if thats what hes saying how he got knocked out, hesyou know, hes a little bit off on that.

IF: Do you have any desire then for a rematch with Murilo in the future?
DH: Uh, well I would like to get a title fight for PRIDEs belt against Wanderlei Silva and thats kind of what Id be focusing on.

IF: What would you do differently in a rematch with Wanderlei?
DH: Uh, Id come in in-shape instead of out of shape. Thatd be my biggest step [laugh].

IF: So you felt that the last time you were out of shape against him?
DH: Yeah, I was real out of shape. It wasnt that I felt that I knew I was and that Iits just one of those things thatit was the worst condition that Ive ever come into a fight, you know? Or, that is was against him, who is a tough opponent which wasnt very smart, but you know. Its just the way the circumstance was at that time.

IF: I know that the last time we talked you said wanted to maybe fight Sakuraba next. Do you still feel the same?
DH: Uh, yeah, Sakuraba or Wanderlei. I think Id rather fight Wanderlei cause he has the belt.

IF: In your opinion, who are the top four middleweight fighters in the world right now?
DH: Middleweight meaning 205 or middleweight being 185?

IF: Maybe with the 205.
DH: Uh, top fourI would say Randy Couture has gotta be on top. Then Wanderlei probably, and thenI dont know, Id like to put myself in there in the top four.

IF: So where would you rank yourself in that list?
DH: Uh, I dont know third or fourth. I havent fought Quinton, I havent fought Chuck Liddell or Tito you know, but, the only Ive fought is Wanderlei out of those and Ive lost to him. So I dont know. I think thatId probably put myself in the top four or five, until I fight Wanderlei again. Then Id be top two. Me and Randy being on top.

IF: Do you think theres a chance that you may someday return to the UFC in the future?
DH: Ah, not in the near future. I dont know. They havent expressedyou knowtheyve never made me an offer. So Ive neverI dont know what theyre thinking or whats going on with them, but all I know is they havent made me an offer so, doesnt look like itll happen in the near future.

IF: Is there any bitterness between the UFC and you?
DH: No not at all. I get along real well with them.

IF: I knew that you mentioned before that you felt that they werent offering you enough money in the past.
DH: Ah, no, I just think that thats what it comes down to. They havent made me an offer. Its not that they havent offered me enough, its just that they havent made me an offer. And I think its due to the fact thatyou know, they need to kind of get their ball rolling and start making a little money before they can start making bigger offers.

IF: How about a return to wrestling? Do you have any aspirations to ever begin training again for the Olympics?
DH: No, none whatsoever. You know, Ive already put my time in there and gave it my best shot. Came-up a little bit short on winning an Olympic medal, butyou know I have different goals now, and Id like to be the best in the world at fighting.

IF: When I talked to you last time, you said that you might only be good for a year or two more in competition. Why such a short time?
DH: Ah, a couple years. Just gonna take it year by year and see how my body feels. You know, Ive been training for a long time now. Ive been wrestling since I was five, andI dont know, just gonna take it year by year and see how it goes with my body and with my training and keep motivated to stay in-shape and keep training hard, and then Id be more inclined to fight for longer. But I dont want to go into fights out of shape if Im not motivated to train then itstheres no point in fighting that way.

IF: Well what plans do you have in mind for after retirement?
DH: Uh, were managing some up and coming fighters. You know, and open a gym. Id like to stay in theinvolved in the sport. So, thats pretty much where were at.

IF: Are there any up and coming fighters that we should watch out for from where youre at?
DH: Yeah, we have two or three guys that could possibly make a good breakthrough in this next year. SoI dont know. Weve got two or three good ones.

IF: Any names?
DH: Uh, we got a guy named Jeff Newton, a guy named Chale Sonnen (sp?), and a guy named Nathan Corey (sp?).

IF: Next were going to do a little name association, and what well do is Ill give you the name of a fighter and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.
DH: Okay.

IF: Tito Ortiz.
DH: Tito OrtizUh, the first thing that comes to mind. I dont know, I guess a little overrated.

IF: Heath Herring.
DH: Needs to get out of Holland. Probably the lifestyle hasnt done him well.

IF: Murilo Bustamante
DH: Uh, just a fighter thats the first thing that comes to my mind is just a good, tough, well-rounded fighter.

IF: Kazushi Sakuraba
DH: UhSakuraba, I guess hes just more like aI dont know, a joker or a funny guy quite a bit. Likes to entertain.

IF: Ricardo Arona
DH: Uh[laughs] I thinkI dont know, he likes to stall and not try to finish any fights. Kind of a boring fighter.

IF: Bob Sapp
DH: Big dude.

IF: And finally, Quinton Jackson
DH: Quinton Jackson. Ah, I dont know. I guess hes a funny guy. Hes ahe never shuts-up, he talks all the time. But I like him. Hes a nice guy.

IF: Okay, thank you very much. Lets change gears a little bit. What do you think about the popularity of MMA in America?
DH: I think it needs a little boost, it needs to get on the mainstream TV.

IF: What else do you think needs to happen for its popularity to grow?
DH: Well, they need to market at least two or three American fighters that do this to help market the sport. I think theres some things that are probably going to happen in this next year or two on TV that they could do that. It just needs to be mainstream. I think the sport will get popular all by itself. I mean, its exciting theres a lot of aspects to it rather thanyou know, something like boxing. They just box on their feet. Instead ofyou know, learning submissions or kickboxing or anything like that theyre just striking on their feet. I think its just more dynamic than a lot of sports, and so itll sell itself, but its a matter of getting the advertisementthe free advertisement on regular TV.

IF: Well, youre a Californian, and your nickname happens to be Hollywood. How do you feel about having Arnie as your governor?
DH: Uh, I havent been around that much this last month to see how things are. I think its pretty cool that he is the governor, but I dont know what hes been doing as far as now that hes governor. So Id like toyou know, follow that a little bit. But I think its pretty cool that hes governor now.

IF: Arnold is apparently a fan of MMA. Do you think that he could be good for the future of the sport in your state?
DH: Yeah, I mean thats one thing that hes been really working on is setting-up an athletic commission for MMA in California. I think if he is behind it that could definitely help. I mean, its pretty much who you know in politics not anything else. Just who you know, and who can get things done for you.

IF: Awhile back I seem to recall that one of your sponsors in PRIDE was a California-based sake company [Gekkeikan].
DH: Ah, yeah. Well, its actually based in Japan in Kyoto but they also have a big plant in California.

IF: Well my next question is of the utmost importance to those of us living out here in Japan. In your expert opinion, what is the mark of a good sake?
DH: The mark of a good sake? Uh, the amount ofI guess how clean the rice is that they use? The amount of polish, I guess. Or how polished the rice is makes it a better sake. The Horin is my favorite.

IF: Okay! Finally, have you heard anything solid about who and when you will fight next?
DH: Havent heard anything at all. Have you heard anything? [both laugh]

IF: No, I cant say that I have [laugh]. I was hoping that maybe youd heard something there.
DH: No, I havent heard a word.

IF: Well, any final words that youd like to throw-out to all of your fans?
DH: Uh, no, pretty much everything that I usually say. I just love to fight in Japan I love the Japanese fans. Theyre very respectful, andyou know, win or lose they treat you well. And theyre very supportive. So, I definitely appreciate fighting in Japan in front of the Japanese fans.

IF: Dan, on behalf of InsideFighting.com Id like to thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. Best of luck to you in the future!
DH: Thank you! Thank you, I appreciate it.

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