Stephen Quadros Picks Henderson to Win
It’s kind of nice to see a MMA professional actually commit to picking a winner as opposed to just saying, “if it goes to the ground, it benefits fighter A. If they stay on their feet, then fighter B has a better chance.” If you are professional in the sport, just call a winner and stand by it. That’s what Stephen “The Fight Professor” Quadros has done. For those MMA fans not familiar with Quadros, he’s been in the biz a long long time as a analyst and color commentator for organizations such as Pride, K1, ShoXC, and Cage Rage. He carries a decent amount of respect in the community.
He talked with Budo Videos and did some straight talking regarding the UFC Championship fight between Quinton Jackson and Dan Henderson. Some of his more interesting thoughts include,
“Frankly I’m a little curious as to why they rushed into setting up this particular match (Henderson/Jackson) so quickly. Both were stars in the organization formerly know as Pride, but relatively obscure here in the states (Quinton has since gained some degree of exposure when he destroyed the UFC®’s poster boy Chuck Liddell). One would think that they had so many options to help build the organizational “rivalry” (sigh) up, or at least the champion versus champion angle by possibly making Dan and Quinton coaches on The Ultimate Fighter “reality” TV show, or at minimum have them both fight separate matches on at least one card together and THEN, after they introduced Henderson to those who only know the post-TUF era of the sport, put them in the Octagon® against each other.”
and
“As charismatic as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is, it baffles me as to why he has not been marketed more aggressively by the UFC®. His reactive yet charming personality is tailor made for television and talk show hosts would surely find loads of ways to have fun with him as guest. But instead he’s been shipped to England and taken off pay-per-view (this UFC® will be aired free on Spike TV in the states).”
His thoughts on the Championship fight…
“Dan Henderson will be the most decorated and experienced fighter that Jackson has ever faced. After watching Quinton crush Chuck, it would be easy to surmise that Jackson was the most dangerous striker that Hendo had ever squared off with…if we ignore the fact that Dan KO’d the man who destroyed Rampage twice, Wanderlei Silva, as well as beat super slugger Vitor Belfort and the aforementioned Muay Thai menace Yvel.
Can Quinton out wrestle Dan? Doubtful. Submit him? Trust me, this won’t be about jiu-jitsu. And after watching Quinton barely escape with a decision over Henderson’s training partner Matt “The Law” Lindland last year in Los Angeles, I don’t see Henderson losing a decision here either. Jackson’s chance is to do what no one has done to date: catch Henderson with a punch and knock him out. I honestly believe that the Quinton who shocked the world against “The Iceman” MUST show up for this to be competitive. Anything less will wilt under the experience, concerted aggressive and vicious mauling of Dan Henderson.”
Source: BudoVideos
