On June 4th, UFC 199 began as a night with a lot of scores to be settled. The event, being spear headed by two title defenses, also marked the possible end to two of the sport’s most influential and greatest champions to set foot inside the Octagon. Dan “Hendo” Henderson, at 45 years of age, faced a younger and potent individual in Hector Lombard, who has similar pedigree as Henderson. “The California Kid” Urijah Faber was tapped to face Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz in the rubber match that reached critical mass and had championship implications.
Dan Henderson is the former Olympian who is a lasting remnant of what MMA used to be. His participation in both the ’92 and the ’96 Olympics undoubtedly helped in preparing Henderson for a storied career chock full of highs and lows, championships and accolades. Being the only man in MMA to hold 2 titles in two different weight classes, and the first man to ever knock out Fedor Emelianenko, his last match could be the best possible way of leaving the sport…on top with a brutal KO.
Facing Hector Lombard, another Olympian of Cuban decent, Dan Henderson almost dispatched his opponent in the first round with a mosterous right hand. While in charging in to finish the job, Lombard returned a shot that toppled Henderson over and left him open to Lombard’s offense. Luckily, he weathered the attack to make it into the second round. Henderson remarked in interviews prior to the fight that he wanted to win by a head kick knock out. And although he did connect with one head kick, Lombard grabbed his leg. But it was the follow through with a back elbow that landed flush on Lombard’s temple and shut his lights off for a considerable amount of time. Dan Henderson finished his match (the last in his contract with the UFC) with the same fashion of fury he always fought with. Should this be his final fight, there is no doubt that he is an automatic entrant in to the MMA Hall of Fame.
Urijah Faber began his journey in MMA 13 years ago and debuted on Sept. 29th, 2004. From there he has amassed an impressive record of 33-4, and held several titles in other organizations. While his tenure in the UFC hasn’t been as fruitful as his previous championship reigns, he has served as an example to many athletes within his gym, the venerable stable known as Team Alpha Male.
Since one of TAM’s champions, TJ Dillashaw, lost his title to the man who returned to claim what was rightfully his, Dominick Cruz, the enmity that had existed between both Faber and Cruz grew to heights unimagined. The history between both fighters stood at a solid 1-1, both opponents holding a win over each other. Faber got his chance to retrieve gold at UFC 199, but the end result was not what he wanted. For as much as Faber tried, Cruz was faster, stronger and proved to be too much for Faber to handle. Begrudgingly, Faber had to congratulate his biggest enemy. And with that, he had to acknowledge that it just might be time to hang up the 4 ounce gloves that have been a part of his life for so long.
For as much as both of these men gave to the sport, what they leave behind is immeasurable. Both former champions, both outstanding wrestlers in their own right, both legends of the sport. There will be some time before any one of them make any announcement concerning retirement. But if either of them do decide to call it a career, they have nothing to worry about. The have nothing else to prove. They are simply two of the best at what they do.
The event, which took place in Los Angeles, California at The Forum, took in a gate of $2,168,675. A sell-out crowd of 15,587 in attendance included the likes of Cindy Crawford, Gerard Butler, and other MMA fighters like Paige Van Zant and legends Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell. Fight of the Night bonuses went to Dong Hyun Kim v Polo Reyes, Dan Henderson took the Knockout of the Night bonus of $50,000, and newly crowned Middleweight champion Michael “The Count” Bisping took home a Performance of the Night bonus as well.
