I will say this is a big signing for Strikeforce, as it really beefs up its (thin) roster and creates some interesting fights.
This isn't a big loss for the UFC. Its middleweight division, although ruled by some thin, Brazilian dude, has some talent in it. Hendo was supposed to challenge Anderson Silva, but Dana White felt Vitor Belfort (a man Hendo already beat) should get the first shot, given that he just murdered Jim Ca...oh yeah, Rich Franklin.
How do you say L-Ooo-S-EERR in Portuguese?
Also, Silva hasn't been tested well on the feet and The Phenom would do just that. So what happened after this was announced?
Hendo signed a 4-fight, 16-month contract with SF. Being a fight fan, these are some matchups that I want to see:
1. Hendo vs. Cung Le
Cung Le is undefeated. He's a striker. He moonlights as a movie star (?). He's never fought an elite wrestler before. This will be 3 rounds of ground rape en route to a Hendo GNP win.
2 . Hendo vs. Robbie Lawler
Lawler (they say he's part Filipino, but he looks like BJ Penn) is a UFC vet with a penchant for knocking people on their asses. He was a former SF Middleweight champ but lost to eventual champ Shields. He trains with Matt Hughes at H.I.T. Squad so you know he SHOULD know how to wrestle. But hey, Hendo knows how to knock people out too, just ask Mike Bisping:
Another picture from the revolution.
I'm a fan of Lawler and I'd like him to get a shot at Anderson Silva but I see this as a UD loss for Lawler.
3. Hendo vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral
No, this isn't the dude who usually provides comic relief in Filipino movies, but he got his nickname from a brand of bubblegum he chews.
Not Pictured: Babalu the fighter.
If Hendo decides to go the LHW route, he'll probably get this man first. Although he already beat him once, it was a close fight that could have gone either way. From SF's perspective, this will be a great No. 1 contender match, with the winner (most probably Hendo by UD) facing....
4. Hendo vs. Gegard Mousasi
This is THE LHW matchup everybody wants too see and I know he will eventually get a chance at The Dreamcatcher. Unfortunately, Mousasi is just too talented and Hendo too old. The only chance Hendo has of winning this fight is to get it on the ground and try to negate Mousasi's obvious striking advantage. But even if it does go there, Mousasi has shown he can finish fights on the mat as well. Besides, the dude hasn't lost in 3 years. Sorry. Mousasi by KO
The ones above are once that would PROBABLY happen, but there are two fights that I would really pay to see. Drum roll please!
No drums? Well here, impatient bastard:
1. Vs. Frank Shamrock
Ahhh the battle of the old people. But these aren't geriatric ones people, these are legends of the sport, with Shamrock having proclaimed himself as one since the beginning of time. I expect this to be fought in the clinch and on the ground especially with both men being superior grapplers. I'm a big fan of The Legend, but I know Hendo will take this one via UD.
The Shamrock fight will gather a LOT of attention, but that's not even close to the attention that will be attracted IF and WHEN Hendo fights this guy...
2. vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Ahhh MMA's golden goose. Dana White's wet dream. This man might not look the part, but he can kick some ass. 31 to be exact. Fedor's record should be 32-0-1, but he suffered a lost due to a freak situation in which Tsuyoshi Kohsaka opened a cut due to an ancient technique called I-missed-a-punch-but-your-forehead-still-hit-my-elbow. But past is past, and Fedor hasn't lost IN 9 YEARS. Beat that. Although this fight will probably never happen unless they agree to a catchweight of let's say 215, Hendo is at a BIG disadvantage here. It's David vs. Goliath, but in this fight Goliath is 10x bigger, 10x stronger, and 10x more intelligent (a single rock? really?!?). Fedor by 1st round murder.
If you don't believe me, look at the man and tell me he isn't a killer:
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