Dirty Boxing: Strikeforce Steals Dan Henderson Away From the UFC?

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 7:39 PM EDT in News Comment 101 comments

Dan Henderson’s career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship has ground to a close in a contract stalemate, and the former two-division PRIDE champion appears on the verge of signing a deal with the rival Strikeforce promotion.

...

Henderson could not be reached for comment Friday, but White confirmed he was unable to come to terms with Henderson. White did not immediately confirm whether the UFC retains the right to match contract offers under the terms of Henderson’s previous deal. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker did not return phone calls.

White, though, said he wanted to re-sign Henderson but couldn’t agree on the money in a new deal.

"We have a good relationship with Henderson, and there are no hard feelings," White said. "He had a figure he believed he was worth, and we had our own figure, and we weren’t able to get together."

I'm really curious what Dan Henderson thinks he's worth. He reportedly made $250,000 (including $150,000 win bonus) in purse money at UFC 100. While he probably deserves some sort of raise, I personally don't think he's worth any more than $200,000-250,000 in guaranteed money per fight.

I've seen people postulate that Henderson increased his value after appearing on the Ultimate Fighter and knocking out Michael Bisping at the aforementioned UFC 100 super show. I don't buy it. Or, rather, I believe he increased his visibility, but that visibility was never much to talk about to begin with.

In any case, this would be a nice little coup for Scott Coker and co. Henderson will probably want to fight at 205, and the big question is whether they'll give him Mousasi right away or have him fight someone like Mike Whitehead or Renato Sobral.

UPDATE: From Josh Gross’ Twitter account

Dan Henderson has not received an offer from Strikeforce. He met Scott Coker for the first time and they had coffee. That’s it.

Also

Don’t expect Henderson to make any moves before the Nov. 7 Strikeforce card on CBS. Again, he has not even been offered a deal.

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Is this a done deal?

You seem matter of fact towards the end, but it seems that this isn’t sealed up yet.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t believe it is official yet, but Dana and Iole were pretty much saying “Peace Out” to Hendo. He was interested in fighting in Strikeforce and in DREAM, from what I can remember.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, he wasn't

Not saying he isn’t interested to some degree, but he’s always said he intends to, and wants to, stay in the UFC. We’ll see how this shakes out… They may even have rights to first refusal.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course he does, but only if he gets paid what he wants.
=)

I don’t think anything conclusive come of this anytime soon.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’re saying that you remember him being interested in fighting in Strikeforce and DREAM, but that’s patently untrue unless you can read minds or got him drunk or something. Ha..

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, he mentioned it in an interview. He said he was prefer to sign with the UFC of course, but if that wasn’t possible, he wouldn’t mind fighting in Strikeforce and Japan.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

they grilled him about it on Inside MMA, and he was UFC UFC UFC UFC. I’d like to see a link to the interview where he mentioned Strikeforce and Japan.

by Grappo on Oct 16, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Http://www.supremacysfantasy.com/coocoo

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 16, 2009 9:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Or, that quote below with the source. Nice try though.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a joke brother lighten up.

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 16, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here you go:

During a conference call Sherdog.com’s Loretta Hunt quoted Henderson when asked how the negotiations were going with the UFC.
"It didn’t go quite as I hoped. Let’s put it that way, Henderson told Sherdog.com Wednesday. "It Henderson told Sherdog.com Wednesday. "It could have been a lot better."

Henderson also reiterated his statement from a earlier interview where he stated he felt he was worth more than the UFC was offering.
"Obviously I feel my value has gone up enough to warrant what I’ve asked for I don’t think I’m being greedy by any means," said Henderson. "There’s a lot of numbers being thrown around out there and I feel I should be paid what I ask for. They feel like, I guess, I’m not worth that though."

Henderson also stated that the two sides were still far off on a new deal as well.
"We figured out we were a lot further away than we thought (on the contract)," said Henderson."

Henderson also said that while going to StrikeForce or Japan could be a possibility if a deal could not be reached, but at the end of the day he would still like to remain with the UFC.
"Basically anywhere’s a possibility, but I’d like to make things work with with the UFC," said Henderson. "Since I’ve had a history with Japan, I guess that would be one place I’d talk to. Strikeforce, for sure, would be the next big U.S. promotion."

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/henderson-ufc-talks-moving-slowly-20049

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Since I’ve had a history with Japan, I guess that would be one place I’d talk to

He’s going to get a job with the Japanese government?

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 16, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

but that’s about what I figured. ‘If I can’t, for some reason, make it work with the UFC, then I’ll have to go somewhere else.’ That seems less like expressing interest than stating the obvious.

by Grappo on Oct 17, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In this whole time he has not been able to come to terms with Zuffa I have never heard Dan say he would also be interested in fighting for StrikeForce or Dream, I axtually have never even heard him bring up eather org before this eather ?

by Shocbomb on Oct 16, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/henderson-ufc-talks-moving-slowly-20049

"Basically anywhere’s a possibility, but I’d like to make things work with the UFC," said Henderson. "Since I’ve had a history with Japan, I guess that would be one place I’d talk to. Strikeforce, for sure, would be the next big U.S. promotion."

by jinsoku on Oct 16, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1

I don’t know why no one around here has heard of this. Thanks for the post.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Boy was I wrong. I don’t know how I missed that sherdog article. Thanks alot man for posting that good read

by Shocbomb on Oct 17, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just read that again before I saw this comment and realized I should probably change the language. Thanks for the heads up.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dan deserves whatever eh wants

He’s paid his dues, has fought all the way up to HW and has one of the best resumes in the sport. He’s 39 and it’s time to get paid.

by gunranger on Oct 16, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

doesn’t work that way….Affliction paid the fighters crazy money and look what happened

by asmiley420 on Oct 16, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’re really comparing upstart Affliction to the well established UFC? There isn’t a comparison.

Paying a legend in Hendo isn’t the same as say throwing a lot at Vera.

by gunranger on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet they probably make the UFC the same amount of money.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You cant compare Affliction and the ufc

Financially. UFC can put that kinda money out there like that. Affliction was doing it just to have big name fighters to help build their promotion (which was obviously stupid) and look what happened to them. No way the UFC crashes as a promotion now, They are THEE mma promotion.

They were able to pay a guy in Brock Lesnar half a million (correct me if I’m wrong) which was a risk that I’m sure wasn’t gonna affect them much. Here’s a guy that actually deserves that extra money and they don’t wanna pay up. If he’s asking for a ridiculous amount of money then I can totally understand and would tell hendo to take his business elsewhere as well.

"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson

by poundnground on Oct 16, 2009 8:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

The Lesnar deal may or may not have been a risk, but there was HUGE reward if it paid off. What reward is there if they give Henderson a bunch of money? Is he suddenly going to become some near-crossover mega star like Brock? Medon’tthinkso.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’ll never be a draw like Lesnar, but you gotta see it from the fighters side of it. I’m sure its offensive to these guys that have done nothing but good for the sport for YEARS. They feel they’re worth a bit more and if you’re gonna get denied by the company that can afford it then you can understand the disappointment. Its not like its some dude with a shitty resume, Hendo’s still got it.

He’s another guy that’s gonna be doing some Randy Couture shit fighting at 40 some years old and looking good doing it.

"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson

by poundnground on Oct 16, 2009 8:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

That’s all fine and dandy, but it ultimately comes down to how much money he brings in for Zuffa.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look at Allen Iverson. He’s still one of the better scorers in the NBA, and has an incredible resume. With that said, he won’t be getting anymore max contracts and had a hard time finding a home this offseason. This happens to all aging athletes who think they still have it and are still peaking.

by CliChe Guevara on Oct 16, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, even if he got max deals, it wouldn’t be because of his on-court ability, but his name value, etc.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or because of his dedication on the practice floor.

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 16, 2009 9:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha yes.

by Hatfield on Oct 16, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s why I think it makes sense for him to go to Strikeforce.

Strikeforce need top caliber fighters to prove the worth of their product. They could never afford the big 12 or so UFC fighters who get cuts of the PPV but a guy like Hendo is perfect for them:

1) He is recognizable to UFC fans so he should help draw attention to their product.
2) He is a top notch fighter. Someone they desperately need to pit against Mousasi just to legitimize their product.
3) He is known in Japan, so maybe they can offset some of the price with Dream.
4) He is not ridiculously expensive. Even though 300,000-400,000 (my guess) is more than what he is worth to the UFC and more than Strikeforce can usually pay, it’s not a deal breaker like an Tito 2 mil+ contract.
4) In addition they could probably get him cheaper than the UFC if they guarantee him spots on the CBS card and the additional endorsement money that brings.

After all that though, I really don’t buy he’s leaving (Urijah Faber made more sense to me and that didn’t even come close to happening). After all, this is a Kevin Iole report so let’s take it with a grain of salt.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Dan does deserve a bit more money, he’s a legend and not only is he a BIG name to the hardcores, but after the show and that bisping KO became a big name to the casual fan as well. If liddell and Hughes can make the money they do why can’t hendo?

These are all guys that have put in hard work and time for the sport. If it was someone else I would understand not coming to agreements and letting the guy go.

"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson

by poundnground on Oct 16, 2009 7:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not like he’s not making some big cash as it is. He wants more money than his name is worth. I’m down for him getting paid for being a legend, but Mark Coleman is a legend too, and, well, he’s alot worse off than Hendo.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendo not only has a better resume but he’s still relevant. Nog just made 1 million for the Couture fight. You really think he’s worth more than Hendo?

by gunranger on Oct 16, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not saying he shouldn’t get more, but he shouldn’t be in the top 5 highest paid fighters.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say Nogueira is worth more than Henderson.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s tough, but I’d personally agree. Some could argue he’s somehowas valuable, but he hasn’t proven his value after his supposed coming out party (KOing Bisping).

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nogueira’s done everything Henderson has in the UFC (coached TUF, appeared on a mega show) AND he won the heavyweight title AND beat Randy Couture. ’Nuff said.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and he’s younger.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

…which didn’t seem to matter until after what he just did to Randy (people saying he’s aged beyond his years).

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Won the interim title.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A title is a title.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In my book he was the HW champ but technically he was wasn’t. Just correcting your literal mistake.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not if its from Tim Sylvia

by Propst01 on Oct 16, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

You can’t jump around with numbers; he wants a higher guaranteed figure than he MADE in his last fight. I’ve heard figures that range from 275k-350k to show.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

225k to show at the most sounds right for Hendo. Those numbers you mentioned are…scary.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that’s a good number. UFC is probably offering around 200k, maybe 175k.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Rampage, Franklin, Hughes, Ortiz, Couture, Big Nog, Liddell, Belfort and probably Kimbo all make more than he does.

The problem with Hendo is he has all the credentials these guys have but none of the drawing power.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, now, if he had 1 more fight after the Bisping KO, maybe he’d have a little more to bargain with, as the UFC would see if it affected his drawing power.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The other problem Dan is dull. He has no Charisma what so ever, And that goes along way in selling fights.

by Shocbomb on Oct 16, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinda like Chuck Liddell.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 16, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Dan KO’ed everyone he fought like he did Bisping, he’d be just as big.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Liddell has more charisma in his BIG Toe then Hendo has ever had. Plus the look is what works for Chuck and helps sell him

by Shocbomb on Oct 17, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 17, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its a business first and for most and in MMA like any pro sport if you are smart you don’t give hughe contracts to aging super stars..

by Shocbomb on Oct 17, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Josh Gross’ Twitter account

Dan Henderson has not received an offer from Strikeforce. He met Scott Coker for the first time and they had coffee. That’s it.

Also

Don’t expect Henderson to make any moves before the Nov. 7 Strikeforce card on CBS. Again, he has not even been offered a deal.

FIRE BRUCE BOCHY NOW!!!!!!
AND TAKE BRIAN SABEAN WITH HIM!!!!!

by 49er16 on Oct 16, 2009 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But Iole said…
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the UFC lets Hendo get away, that is a hell of an acquisition for Strikeforce. I really hope he stays in the UFC though.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by kyfm621 on Oct 16, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Uh oh, it begins…

SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 16, 2009 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno to me this is crazy. Hendo is one of the best evah! lol He was on freakin UFC 100 in a moment that will br remembered by all. I doubt Dana lets him go.

SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 16, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait, so does this mean Vitor vs Marquardt? HOLY SHIZZ!!!

SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 16, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

JUMPING THE GUN...

Go to a good source like Gross.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Iole?

Never!

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 16, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love this

by HighNoon on Oct 16, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

by Razzel on Oct 16, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hendo should be thankful for 250,000 a fight in this market.....

There is NO WAY IN HELL Strikeforce will give Hendo 6 figures guaranteed a fight. Why would anyone put that kind of money into someone known as “Decision Dan.”

Don’t get me wrong, I love Hendo, but if this is about money there is no way he’ll get more money outside the UFC.

I can understand fighters being upset at their pay in relation to what the UFC is making per event, but given their alternatives (Strikeforce) they are probably going to make as much as they possibly can in the UFC, in salaries and sponsorship dollars.

by Dexerion on Oct 16, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

More Tweets from Gross....

UFC and Hendo have negotiated for three months. Nothing much has changed on either side. He could return to UFC, but is now open to leaving.

by Dexerion on Oct 16, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys should follow Gross on Twitter.....

https://twitter.com/SI_JoshGross

by Dexerion on Oct 16, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gross

SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 16, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How is it stealing away when Dana doesn’t care enough about Hendo to overpay for him?. Simply put I called this awhile ago, I told everyone that Dan was playing with fire and pricing himself out of the UFC and he’s going to do just that.

Obviously guys still haven’t learned their lessons from guys like AA or Sylvia, Dan will also come to regret this decision just those 2 have. The big winner in all of this is Nate The Great he’s going to be next in line for a MW title shot and look for the UFC to put alot of their backing on him that could have gone to Hendo.

by Raker on Oct 16, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What was AA’s lesson? He made $475,000 in his last 3 fights with the UFC and $2.75 in his next 3. I think it was a smart move by him.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and now he’s reduced to being in bully beatdown, aa is the perfect example of what a guy’s career looks like after he chases money instead of being the best.

by Raker on Oct 17, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. It’s not like he left and got to fight the #1 HW in the world.

by nottheface on Oct 17, 2009 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s 1 fight.

yes, him and Sylvia earned a bunch for their fights with Fedor, but then they just got abandoned. If they had stayed in the UFC, they would have made a little less for each fight but the UFC would have done a better job of salvaging their careers and keeping them viable. I don’t know that we can be sure either of them actually made more money out of the deal when you factor in sponsorships and the huge amount of time they have spent not fighting (or fighting for Adrenaline) since they left the UFC.

by Phildo on Oct 17, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of thoughts:

1) You can’t say he should have stayed to be the best, as Raker did,, because at that time last year Affliction was were the best HWs were or trying to sign with (see Couture). That’s just being parochial towards the UFC.

2) If I remember right the UFC was offering Arlovski their max – $400,000 a fight contract with no PPV bonus (this was before PPV cuts were being handed out left and right as they are now). First off, let’s pretend it was a full $400,000 based on show and not win. Well, if AA had taken that contract he would have made $1.6 mil over the next four fights. Way below the $3.25 mil he made (I forgot to add the $500,000 he made losing to Rogers). To equal what he made with Affliction he would have to fought 8 times. But wait, since a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow, he would have to fight 9 or 10 times to equal that over a 3 year period.

That’s a pretty big risk to take in a violent sport where an injury could end your career. There is a reason why a lot of football players want signing bonuses.

In addition, I doubt he would even have come close to making that $3.25 mil because after two vicious KO’s in his last two fights of his contract I’m sure Dana would have negotiated his contract down. AA is the one example of a fighter doing the right thing by wrecking his career.

by nottheface on Oct 17, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AA would have made much more than 400k by fighting in the UFC and he sure as hell wouldn’t be reduced to being on a reality show beating up actors after a year. AA was incredibly popular and if he had resigned with the UFC would have gotten another title shot and been apart of several big ppv’s. Taking short term money and ruining your career is something a fool would do, you never sacrifice your longterm money opportunities in a sport as dangerous as mma because of ego he did and now he’s paying for it so will Hendo.

by Raker on Oct 17, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lame. Outside of more money the UFC gave Henderson everything he wanted. Two immediate title shots in two different divisions, mass TV exposure, etc.

by Poindexter on Oct 16, 2009 8:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The title shots came with the Pride/UFC merger.

by nottheface on Oct 16, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He Had Two Belts!

It’s not like he got to fight Quinton and Anderson because the UFC was doing him the favor. They were hyping him up as “the only man to hold two Pride belts at the same time blah blah blah”.

Sure, he lost both of those fights but he agreed to be on TUF, which I doubt he really wanted to do and he agreed to fight Bisping at 185. He completely ERASED months, if not YEARS, of ridiculous Bisping hype w/one punch and a flying forearm smash.

Now, if Dan is asking for 500k a fight, I can see why they can’t come to terms but if he is asking for 200k or 225k, then I don’t see why Dana wouldn’t just pay the man. MaybeDan is asking for a PPV cut and that is the sticking point.

"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday

by MyFistYourFace on Oct 16, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well to be fair Dan didn’t want to move down in weight to fight Silva the first time after he lost to Rampage he wanted to stay at 205.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 16, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, and he didn’t want to move down to fight Bisping or to be on TUF. He did those things because the boss asked him to. Now he wants his reward.

"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday

by MyFistYourFace on Oct 16, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes I think that about sums it up.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 16, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At 39, guaranteed superstar money is nuts.

Nobody buys a PPV to see Hendo do his head down threshing machine routine.

Some guys win and it just doesn’t matter to anyone. Hendo is one of them.

http://www.vancouversun.com/mma

by Ozzz on Oct 16, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So then basically you think he’s been overpaid.

by scrambledeggs on Oct 16, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally?

Sure.

http://www.vancouversun.com/mma

by Ozzz on Oct 25, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

First off

Josh Koscheck is going to be fighting on free TV.

Secondly this is a circus. I would be shocked if Hendo even thinks about leaving UFC. He’s ready to get a title shot and Dana should be willing to give him a contract to stay.

October 11th, 2009: The day Justin Forsett became loved by Seahawks fans forever.

by SSreporters on Oct 16, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Despite Hendo being not popluar with the casual fans, he gets the loudest pops at the live events I’ve been to. I have been to 11 UFC’s all over the country and never heard any crowd like 82 and 100 for Hendo’s entrances.

by TheAlphaNerd on Oct 16, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The hardcore fans know who Henderson is, but it’s not only the hardcore fans who buy tickets. The every day Elbow poster or website visitor probably only makes up only 40 to 45% of the fans who buy PPV’s these days, hell it may be lower.

Something clever goes here....

by Narcisist on Oct 16, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of people saw TUF 9 and UFC 100 and not just hardcores. I would argue that more people know who Dan is and are fans of his now than there have ever been before.

I hate to keep harping on the Bisping destruction but A LOT of people, both casual and hardcore MMA fans, saw that fight or a gif or a clip or romo shop or something.

Not sure how that would translate to PPV buys but I am sure Zuffa playing that KO over and over again would peak some interest.

"It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear".- Doc Holliday

by MyFistYourFace on Oct 16, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, more people know Dan post UFC 100, but that isn’t saying much.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly my point, but I’d say we all make up a single-digit volume of the % of fans.

by TheAlphaNerd on Oct 16, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at UFC 82 and Arlovski definitely got the biggest pop at both the weigh-ins and the fights.

Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com

by Mike Fagan on Oct 16, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NO way. I respect your opinion, but I know what I heard.

by TheAlphaNerd on Oct 16, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spoke to one of Dan Henderson's people as well

"No", he responded when I asked if Henderson had signed with the California based promotion. "I can tell you that Dan is getting ready to go hunting for the next three weeks and he has not signed with them. It is not out of the possibility, but as far as I know nothing has changed. Unless you want to consider a cup of coffee a contract offer."

Something clever goes here....

by Narcisist on Oct 16, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs