UFC Champion Prepares to Fight Dan Henderson

UFC champ Anderson Silva thinks Dan Henderson will be a tough opponent. (MMAweekly.com Photo)

While some fighters thrive on trash-talking before fights, UFC champion Anderson Silva (22-4-0) takes a different route, and instead showers opponents with praise.

Now, leading up to his fight against Dan Henderson (22-6-0) on March 1 at UFC 82: Pride of a Champion, Silva is at it again.

"Dan Henderson is one of the best fighters," he tells MMAweekly.com "He’s proved that in many fights with many great guys. He’s got a totally different game but it’s a great game. It’s going to be a very good fight and it’s going to be an honor to fight Dan Henderson."

Since arriving in the UFC, Silva has won five fights in a row all by KO or TKO, with none of them going past the second round. With nearly 30 fights under his belt, Henderson has never been KO'd, but Silva hopes to be the first.

"The belt is just the outcome of my work and for as long as God allows me to keep the belt and for as long as I train to keep the belt, I’ll keep it," he says.

Bet on Silva vs. Henderson in the Bodog Sportsbook.

All lines subject to change.