UPDATE: UFC President Dana White has stated that this will be a unification bout despite the report below. To read the latest update click here.ÂÂ
The showdown between UFC and PRIDE FC 205-pound champions Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Dan Henderson, respectively, at UFC 75 will be a non-title fight, according to the Orange County Register.
This development contradicts earlier reports that indicated it would be a unification bout. And for some reason, Carlos Arias is the only reporter who picked up on it during the UFC 73 conference call that took place last week.
Here's a snip from UFC President Dana White:
"No. What we're doing with that thing is we're respecting both (the UFC and PRIDE) titles. The UFC title is the UFC champion and we're respecting Dan as the PRIDE champion. Quinton will walk out with his belt if Dan wins and vice versa."
With neither belt at stake it appears that this bout is designed to determine which promotion has the better champion. It also might mean that this is only a three-round match (five rounds is reserved for title matches).
Don't quote me on that ... this could all change tomorrow based on everything that's been happening lately.
For sure, if Henderson wins this fight it would be impossible for him to defend three titles in two different weight classes in two separate promotions. It would also make him the most decorated champion in the history of the sport.
But I guess he doesn't need another belt to prove that.
(Thanks to UFCmania reader "AKA123" for the assist).
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