Jon Jones has been dominant on the ground, but nobody has yet managed to put the champ on his back © Getty Images Enlarge

UFC president Dana White confirmed on Friday that Dan Henderson will fight the winner of Jon Jones v Rashad Evans, and Henderson is warning people not to write off the challenger ahead of UFC 145. 

Henderson has been forced to wait for his shot at the UFC light-heavyweight title, with Jones and Evans set to square off on April 21.  It is expected that Jones will prevail, meaning Hendo will be next to face the hottest property on the UFC roster. 

However, Henderson does not react comfortably to questions about a future Jones v Henderson fight, insisting it is crazy to rule out former champion Evans.  Indeed, Henderson even claims Jones will definitely be put on his back at some point in the contest. 

"Don't count out Rashad Evans.  Everybody's assuming it will be Jones, but Rashad is a good fighter too," Henderson told ESPN. 

"Rashad got a lot of criticism for his last performance [against Phil Davis] but I thought he fought really well, really solid.  Jon Jones is tough but Rashad could definitely come out winning. 

"He will definitely put Jones on his back if he fights like he did against Phil Davis.  Rashad's the better wrestler, it's just that Jones is awkward.  But Jones wouldn't be able to stop him taking him down for that long." 

Asked what problems each man poses, based on their styles, Henderson admits he would expect more of a striking contest if he faced Jones. 

"They have two different styles, two different fights.  Rashad is good on his feet, good with his striking, and he would definitely try to put me on my back more than Jon Jones would," Hendo said. 

"Jones is longer, kicks a little bit more, stays on the outside and is awkward, and that is something I would have to deal with." 

Henderson is one of many UFC stars to be attending The MMA Show Live on May 12/13 at the NEC in Birmingham, a ground-breaking event featuring more top level MMA fighters than any other show of its kind in Europe.  The interactive expo expects 30,000 fans across the whole weekend. 

Tickets for The MMA Show Live are priced from £20 and available from www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 338 0338.  For more information visit www.themmashowlive.com

For more on Dan, go to his personal website or clinchgear.com

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