Lyoto Machida took one step closer to another shot at UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones, with a close decision victory over Dan Henderson.
A tentative start marked the start of the co-main event as Dan Henderson tried to close the distance and land on Lyoto Machida. Henderson landed kicks early, but the elusiveness of Machida made it difficult for him to get his offense on track. Machida used his trademark movement to land kicks and then get out of range throughout the opening round. Machida then scored a very late takedown from the clinch and scored with a big elbow from the top to close the round.
Machida scored early in the second with kicks to the body, while Henderson fired back with inside leg kicks. Machida continued to score on the outside while circling away from the power of Henderson as the round wore on. Henderson ducked in trying to close the distance but paid for it as he ate knees to the body more times than not on his way in. Henderson continued to land to the lead leg, then closed and grazed Machida with his right hand as the round ended.
Henderson still struggled to get inside and score to start the third as Machida again used his movement to evade the power punches of Henderson. Henderson finally got close enough to clinch, and after a scramble, ended up on top and in the full guard of Machida. Henderson went to the body from the top while Machida controlled the posture of Henderson trying to force a stall in the action. Machida then found an opening and created enough space to kick off and get back to his feet with 1:30 to go in the fight. Machida used feints, then uncorked a front kick that landed late in the round. Another kick would score for Machida as the bell sounded on the bout.
Once the scorecards came back, it would be Lyoto Machida (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) that would earn the split decision victory with scores of 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28.