Coach suggests fight between Ronaldo Jacaré and Dan Henderson in light heavyweight

A fight between Jacaré (left) and Henderson (right) is in Distak's plans. Photo: MMA Press Production (Disclosure/UFC)

Ronaldo Jacare He achieved a prominent position in the UFC middleweight category by authoritatively winning all four fights he had in the biggest MMA organization in the world. Wanting to fight for the belt, the Brazilian, however, faces a dilemma: the fight between Chris Weidman e Vitor belfort, which will put the under-84 kg division title on the line, should only happen in February 2015, which could mean that Jacaré will be out of action for a long time before returning to the Octagon. However, the fighter's main coach, Josuel Distak, suggested a fight for his pupil in the top division, against the veteran Dan Henderson.

Distak believes that the best way out for Jacaré would be to face Hendo in the 93 kg division at the same event in which Belfort will challenge Weidman. “I would love to see him face Henderson in February, in the same event that Belfort faces Weidman. Henderson is a legend, and fans would love the marriage of this fight. The world needs to know the potential of Ronaldo Jacare”, said Distak, in an interview with the North American website “Sherdog”.

Even if the opponent is not Henderson, Distak is confident that his fighter is capable of challenging any light heavyweight on the planet. “I like the idea of ​​Jacaré in a special light heavyweight fight. I truly believe that, with the exception of Rafael Feijão e Rogério Minotouro, Jacaré can fight anyone in that category in preparation for facing the winner of Vitor x Chris. I don’t think it’s fair for him to cut weight to fight in the category where he’s second in the rankings,” he said.

If the plans really come to fruition, Jacaré would do something similar to what happened with Vitor belfort in 2013. The “Phenomenon”, accredited to fight for the middleweight belt, had a fight with Henderson himself at light heavyweight, as the rematch between Weidman and Anderson Silva was scheduled for shortly afterwards. On that occasion, Belfort defeated Henderson by knockout.