UFC veteran says he would love to fight for the belt as the champion is “not genuine”.
If talking along with being a great fighter is the way to get your title shot in the UFC nowadays, then Dan Henderson is doing a pretty good job on both fronts.
Despite being on the “wrong” side of 40, Henderson still fancies himself a chance of taking the UFC Light Heavyweight title from current champ Jon Jones if he is able to get his hands on him.
Speaking to media about his upcoming bout against Rashad Evans at UFC 161, Henderson said Jones cannot fool the average mixed martial arts fan, who know he is not what he portrays to be in the public light.
The former PRIDE and Strikeforce champ was asked who he would like to fight more out of the two men battling for the pound-for-pound title of the world, Jones and Anderson Silva, a question he undoubtedly answered.
“I’d like to fight Jon Jones more than I’d like to fight Anderson Silva,” Henderson said.
“Just because I have less respect for him as a person than Anderson. He’s not genuine. I think how he portrays himself is not how he really is. I think the fans have picked up on how he really is, as well.”
The verbal jab thrown Jones’ way continues the hype behind the scenes between the two if they are able to resume their rivalry in a more physical manner.
Henderson was meant to fight Jones at the ill-fated UFC 151 event before a late knee injury became the catalyst for the card being cancelled, the first time ever in the Zuffa era.
Both Henderson and Jones blamed the other for the fallout the UFC copped from fans and sponsors, with Henderson continuing to snipe away at Jones.
Asked what he meant by his comments that Jones was not genuine, Henderson said the sudden rise to fame for the 25-year-old could be to blame as to why he feels the need to act a certain way in public.
“A lot of it is probably because he’s young and he got catapulted into the public eye, and he’s trying to portray himself in a different way,” Henderson said. “But he should just be himself. “
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