UFC 173, a big event for the company as it is on Memorial Day Weekend, has just added a new co-headline fight in an attempt to beef up the card. Dan Henderson moves back to light heavyweight where he will face one of the top contenders in Daniel Cormier on the card on May 24th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White made the announcement on ESPN Sportscenter.
Cormier (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) most recently fought at UFC 170, where he earned a quick victory over Patrick Cummins, who came into that fight as a last-minute injury replacement. For Cormier, winner of the Heavyweight Grand Prix in StrikeForce it was his first UFC fight at light heavyweight. Cormier is a former Olympic and NCAA Division I All-American wrestler. He has has nine stoppages in his 14 career fights.
Henderson (30-11 MMA, 7-5 UFC) meanwhile, is a former two-division PRIDE champion. He recently halted a three-fight losing streak with a knockout win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a fight of the year candidate in the main event at UFC Fight Night 38. This will be Henderson’s first fight after ending testosterone replacement therapy due to new regulations form the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Dana White also said that a victory for Cormier could put him in line for a Light Heavyweight title shot. A line that is getting quite long with Glover Teixeira and Alexander Gustafsson also due shots at Champion Jon Jones.
The main event of UFC 173 is scheduled to be Renan Barao vs T.J. Dillashaw in a fight for the UFC bantamweight title. Also on the card is a fight between Jake Ellenberger and Robbie Lawler.
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