"I've had so many fights that meant so much to me. I already played the lead role in very hard fights and conquered a lot. But taking into consideration the point where I am in my career, I just want to make sure I do things right this time and do not miss this opportunity. I just want to be sure that I win this fight. Jones is now touted as invincible and that's the kind of challenge that I love. I will seek to win every round, decrease the distance and maybe get the knockout. It doesn't matter if I have to take him to the ground, fight on the feet, in or out of the clinch, I just need to make sure that I get to have a better reach than him." - Dan Henderson via Tatame

Former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson remains hopeful that if he earns a victory over Lyoto Machida he will be next in line for the light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Henderson was previously scheduled to face Jones at UFC 151 in September, but was removed just 8 days before the event due to injury.

His number one contender status was given to middleweight Vitor Belfort, who went on to lose to Jones at UFC 152, and then to Team Quest teammate Chael Sonnen who's scheduled to face Jones on April 27.

While still recovering from his knee injury, Henderson has been scheduled to face the karate master, Machida, at UFC 157 on Feb. 23. It's a dangerous match up against a very talented counter striker. Heading into the bout, Henderson game plan is simple -- put Machida in spots where he can't strike.

Though UFC president Dana White has yet reveal the Henderson vs. Machida as a number one contender match, Henderson remains hopeful with an impressive victory over Machida, he will once again regain his status as the division's number one contender, and finally get his shot at Jones and the light-heavyweight title.