The main event of UFC on FOX 15 on Saturday in New Jersey will be a key middleweight bout as former UFC champion Lyoto Machida meets former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold in a scheduled five round bout.
The winner of the fight will likely be awarded the next title shot and their shot at the UFC middleweight title could come at the end of the year with current champion Chris Weidman scheduled to make his next title defense at the end of next month against Vitor Belfort.
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Dan Henderson was recently asked by Rick J. Lee about his thoughts on Saturday’s big middleweight bout.
“Machida and Rockhold. I’m obviously pulling for Luke to get out there and beat him up, but you know Machida’s a tough guy to get a hold of,” Henderson said. He’s a tough guy to punch cause he runs around so much, he moves, he’s quick. Luke’s long, which should help him out a lot. If he can cut him off and get in his face, and I think Luke can touch him because he’s so long.”
“Luke’s fairly quick himself as well, so I think if Luke can get a hold of him, that’s the best scenario, but I think even out in the open. Luke will be able to touch him quite a bit as well. Hopefully, create a situation where Machida feels the need to come after him and fight, and that’s where Luke will win that fight. Machida’s hard to finish obviously, and he’s hard to get a hold of, but I think Luke will probably win by decision or even finish him. Luke’s got some pretty good chokes.”