UFC 5 - SILVA VS HENDERSON

UFC 5 - SILVA VS HENDERSON

The UFC 82 main event between Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson was a highly anticipated middleweight title unification bout that took place on March 1, 2008, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. This matchup pitted the UFC middleweight champion, Anderson "The Spider" Silva, against the PRIDE FC welterweight champion, Dan "Hendo" Henderson.

Silva entered the fight as the slight favorite with betting odds of -143, while Henderson was the near-even underdog at +123. At the time of the fight, Silva boasted a professional record of 22-4-0, while Henderson's record stood at 22-6-0.

The bout carried significant weight as it aimed to unify the UFC and PRIDE FC middleweight titles, following the UFC's acquisition of PRIDE FC less than a year earlier. Silva, representing Brazil, was 32 years old and fighting out of Curitiba, Parana. Henderson, from the United States, was 37 years old and fighting out of Temecula, California.

Both fighters brought impressive credentials to the Octagon. Silva was known for his precise striking and dynamic fighting style, while Henderson, a Team Quest product, was renowned for his wrestling background and powerful right hand. The clash of styles and the championship implications made this a must-watch event for MMA fans worldwide.

The stage was set for an epic battle between two of the sport's most accomplished fighters, with the unified middleweight championship hanging in the balance. As the main event of UFC 82: Pride of a Champion, Silva vs. Henderson promised to be a thrilling contest that would help shape the future of the middleweight division.