Bodog Beat

Dan Henderson is picking up steam in the run-up to Saturday’s UFC 93 event in Dublin. (MMA Weekly Images)

On Wednesday, the 38-year-old veteran of the PRIDE wars was a slim –115 favorite to beat Rich Franklin; one day later, Henderson was priced at –130. Franklin had moved from –105 to even money.

There’s a lot to like about Henderson. He’s a two-time Olympian wrestler and held both the welterweight and middleweight titles in PRIDE. But Henderson’s first two matches in the Octagon since 1998 resulted in two losses, to Anderson Silva and Quinton Jackson. Last year’s unanimous decision over rising star Rousimar Palhares was an excellent matchup for both fighters – and illuminated the direction in which their respective careers are heading.

Franklin has only lost to one man in the last five years: Anderson Silva. He’s 12-0 against everyone else. Henderson is the more popular fighter. The betting value is obvious here.