Hendo To Rep Metal Mulisha At UFC 93
January 14, 2009
In yet another sign of a non-endemic brand branching out into MMA, Dan Henderson has signed on Metal Mulisha as one of his sponsors for his UFC 93 match with Rich Franklin. Henderson looks to be the highest profile endorser they have signed on to this point and his deal may portend of a deeper involvement by Metal Mulisha to MMA in the future. Metal Mulisha has made their brand in the motocross and action sports fields but obviously see the shared demographics of those sports and the exploding MMA scene as an ideal vehicle for selling their gear. In our coverage of the ASR Virtue trade show earlier this year, we mentioned that these two groups seem like natural areas for expansion and this may be one of the clearer signs yet that this is taking place.
Irvine, CA (January 13th, 2009) Metal Mulisha is proud to announce the addition of MMA legend Dan Henderson to their team for 2009. This addition to the fast growing Metal Mulisha fight team is just in time for Henderson’s Main Event clash with former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin at UFC 93, taking place at the O2 Arena in Dublin , Ireland.
Henderson and Metal Mulisha General Brian Deegan, have sparked quite abond since Deegan has been working out at Dan’s training facility, Team Quest, over the last several months. Once it became apparent to The General that the former King of Kings Tournament Champion embodied the essence of the Metal Mulisha spirit, Brian asked him to join. Knowing that every Metal Mulisha athlete is part of a true brotherhood, Henderson accepted. Everybody involved has high hopes that this will be the beginning of a long relationship, and the beginning of a title run in the UFC’s 205 pound division.
A Southern Californian native, Dan “Hollywood” Henderson sports arecord of 23 wins and 7 losses since starting his MMA career at the Brazil Open in 1997. Dan has always been known for his powerfuloverhand right, and his fierce takedowns. Throughout his career Henderson has bounced back and forth between 185, and 205 pounds. Whichis a difficult task in these days of fighters cutting 20 or more pounds in order to make weight. In that time he not only held both the Pride Welterweight and Middleweight belts, but he did so at the same time.
“With the addition of Dan to our family, and team of fighters, MMA fans the world over, will have no choice but to notice Metal Mulisha’s push in the sport this year.” stated Metal Mulisha MMA/Alternative Marketing Director, and Henderson teammate, Erik Apple. “This is a HUGE step inthe right direction as we kick down the door, and march into the world of MMA. And believe me, there is alot more where that came from. So stay tuned to what we have in store for this sport! We are thrilled to be involved with Dan’s effort to get a shot at that 205 pound belt once again.”
Since forming from the minds of Brian Deegan and Larry Linkogle in 1999. Metal Mulisha has been the first name in Freestyle Motocross and Action Sports teams. Now in 2009, MMA is the next front that we intend to conquer. Dan Henderson joins our family of fighters, which includes Jason Macdonald, Mark “The Bear” Smith, Erik “Bad” Apple, Troy “Rudeboy” Mandaloniz, and Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Please check out www.MetalMulisha.com for the newest additions to our fast growing family of fighters and updates on each of them.
