Hendo Beats Fedor

By Don Avila

After a furious four minutes in a battle of mixed martial arts legends it was Dan “Hendo” Henderson stopping Fedor Emelianenko with a flash of punches to win the epic showdown.

Henderson is the victor.

Southern California’s Henderson (28-8) showed on Saturday in Chicago that his “H-bomb” when it connects can bring down the mightiest including Russia’s heavyweight king Emelianenko (31-4). The Strikeforce/M-1 Global fight card was explosive and revealing.

It was Emelianenko’s third consecutive defeat and this time to a fighter who had fought as light as 185 pounds. Still, when it comes to punching power Henderson ranks up there even with the heavyweights.

Both emerged in the first round with fists flying and it was mainly in self defense that Henderson met the Russian bomber. After the furious exchange the heavyweight Emelianenko’s face had been marked.

Grappling came next with both looking for another advantage to exploit. In the clinch there was none to be found so they broke apart and fists flew once again. Down went Henderson and it looked like it might be the end. But the former champion scrambled back to his feet and as Emelianenko attacked a right uppercut from Henderson connected and down went the legendary Russian fighter. More blows followed from Henderson and the referee Herb Dean jumped in to stop the fight at 4:12 of round one.

“I hope he keeps fighting,” said Henderson after the victory.

Other winners

Miesha Tate (12-2) beat Marloes Coenen (19-5) with a fourth round submission victory via the triangle choke at 3:03.

Tim Kennedy (14-3) won by unanimous decision over Robbie Lawler (19-7) after three rounds of a middleweight fight.

Tyrone Woodley (9-0) pulled out a decision when with his grappling skills over big punching Paul Daley (27-11-2) after three rounds of a welterweight fight.