UFC Fight Night 38 post-fight facts: 'Hendo' scores first light-heavyweight finish

Dan Henderson has struggled to find a home for his patented “H-Bomb” when fighting in the UFC’s 205-pound weight class, but on Sunday night, he finally landed the mega-shot he’s been searching for.

After losing the first two rounds in UFC Fight Night 38’s main event, Henderson (30-11 MMA, 7-5 UFC) landed his signature punch to the nose of Mauricio Rua (22-9 MMA, 6-7 UFC). The third-round blow set up his first stoppage in a UFC light-heavyweight bout.

With Henderson losing three straight fights prior to the event, a victory in the FOX Sports 1-televised bout was paramount for the former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion. He got it, scoring a third-round stoppage due to strikes and breaking Rua’s nose in the process.

Henderson wasn’t the only underdog to reign supreme, though. Stunning upsets were the theme throughout the event. For more on that – plus several other notes to come out of the UFC’s latest event – here are 35 post-fight facts about UFC Fight Night 38.

GENERAL

UFC Fight Night 38 saw six fights end in the first round, the second most in modern UFC history behind UFC Fight Night 32, UFC 146, UFC Fight Night 14 and The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale (seven)

Henderson earned $100,000 in UFC Fight Night 38 fight-night bonuses while Rua and Godofredo Pepey were awarded $50,000.

UFC Fight Night 38 drew an announced attendance of 6,828. A gate figure wasn’t announced.

Total fight time of the 11-bout card was 1:21:59.

Betting favorites went 1-9-1 at the event. The nine underdog victories were a single-event, surpassing UFC 152 and UFC on FOX 3, both of which had eight underdog winners. The nine underdog victories were also the most ever on a FightMetric-tracked UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, WEC, EliteXC or DREAM event.

In the 15 events the UFC has held in Brazil, fighters from the country are 75-32 against foreign opposition. Brazilian fighters went 5-4 against outsiders at UFC Fight Night 38.

MAIN CARD

Henderson snapped a career-worst three-fight losing streak for his first victory since November 2011. That win, coincidentally, also came over Rua.

Henderson earned his first finish in nine UFC light-heavyweight contests.

Henderson earned his 23rd career UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce/WEC victory, the second most in the combined history of the four organizations behind Wanderlei Silva (27).

Henderson’s 13 knockout wins in UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce/WEC are tied with Anderson Silva for the fourth most in the combined history of the four organizations behind Wanderlei Silva (19), Mirko Filipovic (16) and Rua (15).

Henderson scored his 18th knockdown of a UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce/WEC opponent, tying Filipovic and Anderson Silva for second most ever behind Wanderlei Silva (27).

Henderson, 43, became the second-oldest fighter to earn a knockout victory under the UFC banner behind Randy Couture, who stopped Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74 at 44 years of age.

Henderson suffered the ninth and 10th knockdowns of his UFC/Strikeforce career, which is the second most in the combined history of the two organizations behind Keith Jardine (12).

Rua suffered his first knockout defeat since March 19, 2011 – a span of 1,100 days (more than three years) and seven fights.

Rua suffered a loss in a rematch for the first time in his MMA career. He was previously 4-0 when facing an opponent for the second time.

C.B. Dollaway (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) earned his first knockout victory since Dec. 27, 2008 – a span of 1,912 days (more than five years) and 10 fights.

Dollaway’s 39-second victory was the fastest of his 19-fight career.

Cezar Ferreira (7-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) suffered his first knockout loss since Aug. 20, 2011 – a span of 946 days (roughly 2.5 years) and four fights.

Norman Parke (19-2-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) has fought to a decision in all four of his UFC appearances.

Fabio Maldonado’s (21-6 MMA, 4-3 UFC) three-fight UFC winning streak is tied for the third longest in the light-heavyweight division behind champion Jon Jones (10) and Glover Teixeira (five).

Maldonado landed 132 significant strikes in his victory, the third most ever in a UFC light-heavyweight bout. His 72 significant strikes landed in Round 3 set a new single round for a 205-pound contest, while his 59 in Round 2 were the fifth most. His 132-to-33 significant strike advantage (+99) over his opponent is the second most in divisional history behind Cyrille Diabate’s 146-to-28 advantage (+118) over Steven Cantwell at UFC on VERSUS 3.

Maldonado’s 62 head jabs were also a new UFC light-heavyweight record. His 26 body shots tie his 26 vs. James McSweeney at UFC 120 as the most by a 205-pounder in a three-rounder.

Maldonado has earned his past three UFC victories by decision.

Gian Villante (11-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered both of his UFC defeats by decision.

Michel Prazeres (18-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has earned both of his UFC victories by decision.

Mairbek Taisumov (21-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) became the second fighter in UFC history to get a point deducted twice in a fight that went the distance. Nate Marquardt also faced the situation against Thales Leites at UFC 85.

Rony Jason (14-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has won all four of his UFC fights via a different method.

Steven Siler (23-12 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has suffered all but two of his 12 professional defeats by submission (five) or knockout (five).

Siler suffered his first knockout loss since July 16, 2009 – a span of 1,711 days (nearly five years) and 13 fights.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Ronny Markes (14-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has suffered both of his UFC defeats by knockout.

Scott Jorgensen (14-9 MMA, 3-5 UFC) fell to 1-5 in his past six UFC appearances. “Young Guns” is winless in two fights since dropping to the flyweight division.

Jorgensen has suffered three of his past four UFC defeats by knockout or submission.

Jussier Formiga (16-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) earned his first submission victory since June 29, 2012 – a span of 642 days (nearly two years) and three fights.

Kenny Robertson (13-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has earned nine of his 13 professional victories by submission, including both of his wins inside the octagon.

Thiago Perpetuo (9-3-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) suffered his first submission loss since Oct. 24, 2009 – a span of 1,611 days (more than four years) and nine fights. Two of Perpetuo’s three career defeats are by submission.

Francimar Barroso (16-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

Godofredo Pepey (10-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) snapped the first two-fight losing streak of his career for his first knockout victory since Sept. 18, 2010 – a span of 1,282 days (roughly 4.5 years) and seven fights.

Pepey became the 11th fighter in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a flying knee strike. He earned the 12th finish of its kind in the UFC (Diego Sanchez has two).

Noad Lahat (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 38, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

FightMetric research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

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