Dan HendersonHenderson competed on the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team, including a 10th place finish at the 1992 Barcelona Games. He was also seventh in the 1997 World Championships. He was a top Greco-Roman wrestler on the national and international level for more than a decade, winning three U.S. Open national titles and numerous medals at international events.
Competing at the Olympics for the United States was a highlight of his athletic career.
"I would not change that for anything. It was an honor for me and a proud moment for me to represent the United States at the Olympic Games. I wouldn't trade it for anything I've done in MMA," said Henderson.
Henderson won a silver medal at the 1996 Greco-Roman World Cup, and enjoyed the exciting format of the dual meet competition.
"It was a different type of tournament, and a little more fun to compete in. You were able to watch the rest of your teammates compete and support them as a team. You also were able to interact more with the other teams than at other events," said Henderson.
National Freestyle Coach Bruce Burnett is pleased that Henderson will be in Los Angeles as part of the American World Cup team.
"I was on the Greco-Roman coaching staff at the 1992 Olympics when Dan Henderson was on that Olympic team. I have always had a lot of respect for Dan and his competitiveness. More importantly, his toughness and love of the sport is tremendous. He has been around wrestling a long time and has influenced a lot of people. I couldn't be happier to have a guy like Dan around our team at the World Cup," said National Freestyle Coach Bruce Burnett.
Henderson has a strong connection to wrestling in California. He was a California state wrestling runner-up and two-time placewinner for Victor Valley High School, and won the Junior Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He started his college career at Cal-State Fullerton, before focusing full-time on Greco-Roman wrestling. He is currently living in Temecula, Calif.
Henderson brings enthusiasm to his role as World Cup Honorary Team Captain.
"Wrestling is something I have missed. I am so involved and busy in MMA. I have missed wrestling. I will be great to get involved again, to get around the athletes and encourage and motivate them to do well," said Henderson
Henderson has also excelled in his MMA career with a 30-13 professional record. He currently competes in the UFC, with his next fight against Tim Boetsch scheduled for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CORMIER vs. BADER in New Orleans, La. on Saturday, June 6 and broadcast on FOX Sports 1. He is a former PRIDE Middleweight and Welterweight Champion, and the first fighter in history to hold both belts simultaneously. During his career, he has fought 10 current or former UFC champions.
Henderson credits wrestling with giving him the tools to achieve great things in MMA.
"I don't think I'd have accomplished half of what I have in MMA if I didn't wrestle. It is the best foundation for MMA. When I first started fighting, nobody knew everything. I learned and evolved with the sport as it got more rounded. Along the way, I was a wrestler and because of that, I was able to learn more quickly," said Henderson.
Henderson trains in Temecula, where he runs Team Quest and the Dan Henderson Athletic Fitness Center. His stable of fighters includes MMA stars Sam Alvey and Tarec Saffiedine, along with many professional fighters affiliated with various organizations. He is also the founder of Clinch Gear, which produces athletic gear, and remains involved with the company.
The top eight teams in the world will compete in the Freestyle World Cup. This year's field includes Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Mongolia, Russia, Turkey and the United States.
The U.S. placed third at the 2014 Freestyle World Cup, also held in Los Angeles, with Iran winning the team title and Russia placing second.
All-Session tickets are available, as well as Single-Day tickets. Fans can purchase All-Session tickets for $60 for General Admission and $85 for Preferred Seating. Single-Day tickets, on either Saturday or Sunday, are $35 for General Admission and $55 for Preferred Seating. Fees apply for tickets purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com
A group discount offer for clubs is also available. There is a 20% discount for all USA Wrestling members. Both offers can also be found at www.wrestlingworldcup.com
FREESTYLE WRESTLING WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
(all times Pacific Time)
Saturday, April 11
3:00 p.m. Session I Pool Competition
6:15 p.m. Session II Opening Ceremonies and Pool Competition
Sunday, April 12
11:00 a.m. Session III Pool Competition, Fifth and Seventh Place Dual Meets
4:15 p.m. Session IV First and Third Place Dual Meets
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