Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson Targeted as First UFC on Fox Main Event

Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson at UFC 82

Fresh off their recently signed seven-year television deal with Fox, the UFC is believed to be in negotiations with Dan Henderson to have the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion return in a fight against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. The bout would headline the UFC’s inaugural event on the Fox network, which takes place on Nov. 12 in Anaheim, Calif. The bout will be fought at 185 pounds.

MMAWeekly.com sources close to the situation confirmed the information, which was originally reported by Tatame.com.

MMAWeekly.com has also learned that negotiations have reached a point where nearly all has been agreed to for Henderson’s return to the UFC. The major sticking points appear to be the purse for the potential Silva-Henderson showdown, and, of course, the fact that Silva already has another hurdle in front of him.

Silva is currently gearing up for a middleweight title defense against Yushin Okami at UFC 134: Rio on Saturday night. The Silva-Henderson match-up depends on Silva winning his title defense this weekend.

Henderson, in speaking with MMAWeekly Radio last week, explained that he sees himself as a valuable asset and even said that his UFC return would, more than likely, come down to the dollar amount.

“It will probably come down to money, but it’s coming from the same people,” Henderson said. “So, it’s a matter of where they’re going to make the most money off of me as well, and to be able to pay what I’m getting paid, they need to be making money as well.”

The Strikeforce 205-pound champion went on to comment that the biggest fight the Las Vegas-based organization can promote is a title unification bout with whoever the UFC champion is. Unfortunately, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is already scheduled to fight “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 135 in September.

Silva, however, will have over two months to prepare for a Nov. 12 match-up after fighting this Saturday. The timing might be right enough for him and Henderson to meet in Anaheim on broadcast television.

MMAWeekly.com will continue to follow up on this story as more information becomes available.

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