On Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” UFC president Dana White announced a light heavyweight shootout between Dan Henderson (pictured) and Daniel Cormier will co-headline UFC 173.
White added that the winner of the tango will get next crack at the 205-pound crown after top contender Alexander Gustafsson.
Gustafsson meets the victor of Saturday’s UFC 172 scrap with champ Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira.
Cormier successfully made his light heavyweight debut in February by quickly disposing of Patrick Cummins at UFC 170. The 35-year-old will now test his skills against someone with a similar arsenal – a wrestler-turned slugger.
Henderson is just one month removed from his dramatic come-from-behind TKO victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. It was a much-needed win for Hendo, as he had dropped his prior three bouts before beating the Brazilian for the second time.
The May 24 event takes place inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. A bantamweight title tilt between champion Renan Barao and T.J. Dillashaw headlines the pay-per-view broadcast.
Here is the show’s current lineup:
Preliminary Card:
(UFC Fight Pass 6:30PM ET/3:30PM PT)
Li Jingliang vs. Danny Mitchell
Sam Sicilia vs. Doo Ho Choi
Vinc Pichel vs. Anthony Njokuani
(Fox Soprts 1 8PM ET/5PM PT)
Mitch Clarke vs. Al Iaquinta
Chris Holdsworth vs. Chico Camus
Michael Chiesa vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Jamie Varner vs. James Krause
Main Card:
(Pay-Per-View 10PM ET/7PM PT)
Tony Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera
Jake Ellenberger vs. Robbie Lawler
Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao (UFC bantamweight champion)
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