Two longtime vets hoping to bounce back from brutal 2015 losses will face one another for a second time at UFC on Fox 19, as Combate in Brazil reports that Lyoto Machida and Dan Henderson will face off on April 16.
The two fought once before back at UFC 157 in February of 2013, with Machida taking a decision in a less than stellar bout. Both have had more misses than hits since then, with Machida going 3-4 over his next seven appearances. That includes back to back losses to Luke Rockhold and Yoel Romero last year, both of them extremely violent defeats.
As for Henderson, he kept his career going in 2015 by scoring a knockout win over Tim Boetsch in June, but a rematch with Vitor Belfort in November ended with him losing by head kick once again.
UFC on Fox 19 is expected to be headlined by a lightweight contender bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
Penick’s Analysis: This is one of the least necessary rematches the UFC could book, and would be one of the least interesting fights for this card, but I suppose it works. Henderson’s at the end of his career, Machida needs to perform much better than he did in 2015, and this could accomplish a goal of moving him back up while sending Henderson on his way out.
[Photo (c) Joe Camporeale via USA Today Sports]
Attention iPhone/iPad users, if you’ve enjoyed our app in the past and followed us there, or if you’ve never checked it out, make sure to update to the latest version in the Apple store. We’ve launched a new look for the app, in line with our recent desktop overhaul. Make sure to check it out! An update to our Android app is on its way soon as well, so Android users keep an eye out for that update soon!
Wtf why? Not boring enough the first time?