Dana White: "We Couldn't Come to Terms With Dan Henderson. Negotiations Are Done"
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 20, 2009 10:21 PM EDT
69 comments
Promoted from the FanPosts by Kid Nate.
According to Dana White, the negotiations with Dan Henderson are dead:
We couldn't come to terms with Dan Henderson... Business, nothing personal with Dan, I have a great relationship with him... but he was looking for an obscene amount of money. You never know what's gonna happen, we'll see what happens, but as of now, yeah, negotiations are done.
- He expects Anderson Silva to fight on January 2 after recovering from elbow surgery.
- Rampage will fight again because the UFC is where he gets his money.
HT: MMA Mania
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If this is true
then I want to see Silva/ Marquardt II, stat. If Okami beats Sonnen, put him against Belfort for the next shot at the title.
And in the meantime… BOOK HENDO/ MOUSASI FOR THE STRIKEFORCE LHW STRAP
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Oct 20, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good call.
That’s the only positive matchmaking I can see to Hendo leaving the UFC.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Oct 20, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he said he won't fight Hendo on his current pay scale
I personally wouldn’t like to fight him, because if I fight a high-calibre fighter like Dan Henderson or a bum I would get paid the same, so there isn’t any motivation to fight a better fighter – although for the right money I would fight even Godzilla.
http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=3270
by Anton Tabuena on Oct 20, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This^
You’re fast weo! Beat me to it.
"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson
by poundnground on Oct 20, 2009 10:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
it really is all about the Benjamins
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on Oct 20, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
perfectly understandable
especially considering the controversy surrounding his contract signing…
He signed for what? 4 fights at 40k/40k?
Taking on Sobral or Arona is one thing. Giving Strikeforce a huge fight for peanuts is another. Mousasi could be the next big thing, he must realize that. Now is the time for carefully thought out career steps.
by ruckus on Oct 20, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And this is why strikeforce fails…
why do you think overeem isnt fighting for them? Cung Le? People often forget that once you build or have a “star” you have to actually pay them like one. Tying someone up on multi fight contracts only takes you so far.
Losing in Strikeforce is way different than losing in the UFC.
You think once Mo Lawal gets some traction in the states he’s gonna risk losing in strikeforce?
by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
so he expects to defend his title against bums?
by naturalist on Oct 21, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did sign with Strikeforce.
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 21, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
It wouldn’t make sense having to defend a bum title against real fighters.
I dislike Matt Hughes.
by MonkeyCHops on Oct 21, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has no motivation to fight better fighters, interesting.
?
by dancingChicken on Oct 21, 2009 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s how most people in the universe act, I don’t know why we would expect fighters to be any different.
by Phildo on Oct 21, 2009 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there some kind of clause in his contract that he will only fight guys not ranked in the top ten? Because if there isn’t he should fight whoever they ask him to, unless it’s something ridiculous like asking him to fight Brett Rogers.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 21, 2009 9:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I know, that’s why I posted people from the universe above.
Other than that I thought sport/fighting is about competition.
by dancingChicken on Oct 21, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not sport/fighting, it’s prize fighting.
by Phildo on Oct 21, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t mean sport fighting, I meant sport in general is about competition, and fighting is about competition.
But it’s all good. If Mousasi wants to fight bums, it’s fine with me.
by dancingChicken on Oct 22, 2009 4:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If money is the issue
Would SF cough it up? I mean, that’s a pretty dangerous precedent to set isn’t it?
I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
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by funnytiger on Oct 20, 2009 10:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Most certainly
And they won’t.
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 20, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zuffa would be happy :)
Zuffa would be happy if strikeforce only matched what zuffa offered.
Remember Tim Sylvia was released once it was known what affliction would pay to have him.
by mmalogic on Oct 20, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s a chance. Henderson is a lot more valuable to Strikeforce than he is to Zuffa.
Probably not a good move, but it at least gives SF an opponent for Mousasi. I still think Dan ends up back in the UFC.
by Andy R on Oct 21, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Henderson is a lot more valuable to Strikeforce than he is to Zuffa.
How so? The guy isn’t a major star no matter who he fights for.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 21, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Big(ger) fish small(er) pond
I STILL poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on Oct 21, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Henderson is more valuable to Strikeforce because the overall quality of its roster isn’t as good as the UFC’s. Zuffa already has lots of top ten fighters in all of its weight classes. Losing one won’t hurt the UFC that much.
Strikeforce doesn’t have many top ten fighters on its roster. Adding Dan gives SF a highly ranked fighter and a credible opponent for Gegard Mousasi.
It’s not worth overpaying for him. But Henderson is a bigger asset for SF than Zuffa.
by Andy R on Oct 21, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand that, but the only way he is more valuable to them is if he makes them money, and from what he is apparently asking for I have a hard time believing they would be able to recoup their investment in him.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 21, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can’t argue with that. If Henderson can get what he’s rumored to be asking for good for him, but if I was a promoter I wouldn’t pay him.
by Andy R on Oct 21, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, its the Fedor situation all over again.
SF would have this highly accomplished, highly skilled fighter that few casual fans know well and SF doesn’t own the rights to any video of them for promotional purposes.
by Razreshat on Oct 21, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. This sounds like Dana White is playing hardball. I also think Henderson will still end up in the UFC
by iamtheoriginalchris on Oct 21, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
watching unleashehed right now, hendo fighting andy silva – I wonder if dan is bluffing to avoid the rematch..
seriously though thats too bad they couldnt/havent settled up a deal
by hewsdaddy on Oct 20, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
IDK
Dan will probly look at the SF numbers/FEG numbers and then negotiations won’t be done anymore.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Oct 20, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Didn’t he already say this on Friday?
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 20, 2009 10:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
This doesn’t sound any more final than what Dana sent out to Iole on Friday or whatever. Video is probably from the weekend. Hendo will be back in the UFC no worries
by nastyem on Oct 20, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I still think Dan will be back.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Oct 20, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hendo will be fighting for YAMMA’s next show. They’re having one. Trust me.
BOOSH
by Farthammer on Oct 20, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yea, the thing I’m trying to figure out is that I’m pretty sure that was from the TuffNuFF or whatever it is and Im pretty sure that was either last weekend or 2 ago, and didn’t dan say on insidemma a couple days ago that he is fighting for the UFC against Nate. So this could be nothing.
by bmark6197 on Oct 20, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That inside MMA interview was from a week ago.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 20, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The inside mma thing was a while ago.
I think he’ll end up in the UFC. Dana is just calling his bluff right now and daring Strikeforce to spend over half a million dollars per fight to Dan Henderson.
by Michael Rome on Oct 20, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana’s not going to get into a bidding war with Strikeforce for Hendo (Kid Nate’s analysis was on the money), that means that at best he’ll get marginally more money from them then he would from the UFC. If I were advising Dan, I’d tell him to sign with the UFC. He might (or might not) get a little bit more money for his next couple of fights by leaving the UFC, but that’s nothing compared to the potential reward he would receive if he were to become the first person to defeat Anderson Silva in the UFC. It’s like a NBA player turning down 10 million a year from the Lakers to play for the Timberwolves for 11 million a year. The extra million a year is hella nice until you consider the opportunity cost of forsaking the chance to play in a major market and win a championship, and what it means for your legacy down the line. Dan has a great legacy now, but you’ve got to consider that:
1. Zuffa controls the entire UFC and Pride video library (i.e. the record of his entire legacy). It’s also not inconceivable that Zuffa will also own the Strikeforce video library in a year or two.
2. He’s in the video game, so Zuffa has some control over his likeness rights. Imagine what it would do to casual fans perception of him if he’s a total scrub in the next release of UFC: Undisputed.
3. No matter what he could do in FEG or Strikeforce, it doesn’t come close to what beating Marquardt and Silva back to back would do for his legacy (and his wallet).
4. His potential to damage his legacy is much greater outside of the UFC than it is inside of it.
by Jahbulon on Oct 20, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
your example remind me of the lakers and lamar odom.. trying to wheel and deal himself some more money and failing … on another note dan can retire as the strikeforce middle weight champion since theres no way hes ever going to be the ufc champion ever again with silva there.. and as for LHW champion obviously mousasi will be there for awhile
by pandaboy99 on Oct 21, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of off-topic a bit, but....
…I just wanted to point out how cordial Dana was in his response about the negotiations with Dan. Often times we give Dana so much crap for bashing fighters, running his mouth, and just tearing people down (see: Ortiz, Tito) that I feel it’s only necessary to point out when he actually says/acts in a way that most people want him to act regarding fighters and his public persona. I don’t expect people to take notice to this, but the next time he calls out one of his fighters I’m sure there will be a thousand comments on how Dana is so unprofessional and he’s bad for the sport.
As far as Hendo goes, he’ll be back in the UFC. Both sides are posturing right now and I’m sure Dan will stick his feelers out there to other organizations, but when it’s all said and done, he’ll sign on the dotted line and face off against Marquardt in the near future.
Contributing writer for MMA-Analyst.com
by Joe Schmitt on Oct 20, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Vitor vs Marquardt while Silva recovers that elbow surgery or what every they say on the sidelines. I hope Vitor vs Marquardt will be a war. I have a feeling Vitor would KO Marquardt in the first round.
by buttters on Oct 21, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wasn’t that his cousin fighting that got KO’d just as he was giving the interview? The cousin he had come to see fight for his first fight? Dana didn’t even flinch when he got knocked out.
by J_Maddux on Oct 21, 2009 12:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to wonder how much is this "obscene amount of money"
Henderson has his fans, but the numbers show that he is not a draw by himself. Henderson is a UFC quality fighter, and it really would seem like a big fish in a small pond scenario if he went to Strikeforce. He is nearing the end of his career at his age but can still fight at the highest level, so Henderson really needs to be in the biggest stage while he is good to fight at this high level.
by chrisbboy82 on Oct 21, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If the UFC won’t pay him what he wants, Strikeforce sure as hell isn’t. Coker isn’t an idiot, he has to see that Henderson isn’t that much of a draw and wouldn’t be worth more than what he got for his last fight in the UFC compared to what he’d bring in on either Showtime or CBS.
Strikeforce wouldn’t even be able to promote him. It’s hard to bring in someone and pass them over to an audience when you don’t even have footage of them doing anything other than hitting a heavy bag and swinging a hammer into a tyre.
The Japanese organizations are the only ones that I would think would be crazy enough to pay more than the UFC did for Henderson to compete there.
My guess is Henderson’s next fight is in the UFC.
This shirt is "dry clean only", which means it's dirty.
by SamCupitt on Oct 21, 2009 3:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Poor Hendo
He sees guys like Hughes and Couture get these big fat contracts that will cement their legacies and pad their wallets forever, and he rightfully thinks, “I should have one of those” except for one thing, he doesn’t have a storied history with the UFC and that appears to be the difference.
The guy had two belts in pride, beat Wandy in his heyday, gamed Silva and is one of the few guys in the world that could potentially grind out a decision with him, beat Franklin (who himself is a draw and gets big money), and look at him now. He’s the odd one out. A storied pioneer of MMA who accomplished as much or more than almost anyone else. Has fought and beaten many of the very best. Still manages to fight at elite levels despite an age that retires many others that are years his junior. And he can’t get the money he deserves. Because he didn’t do it all with the UFC and is thus not a draw. I sort of feel for the guy, but life’s tough.
by Dooda on Oct 21, 2009 3:45 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Nail on the head…
His next contract is where he should be looking to “cash in”… First you have to actually do something in the UFC though. Henderson is comparing himself to guys like Chuck, Tito, Randy, GSP, Anderson, etc… He’s getting a pay raise but he’s looking for a “retirement package” and that shit aint happening.
Performance wise he is definitely up there but he hasn’t cemented his name yet in the market because most of what he accomplished was seen by different eyeballs.
He is in the position of around a “big Nog” from a negotiating/price/value stand point.
It takes a while for a fighter to get “seasoned” in the marketinplace – and many times the biggest paydays come after your peak – BUT IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT YOUR PEAK IS DISPLAYED IN THE UFC.
by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2009 4:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The best thing Dan can do is take the UFC raise and then try to beat Anderson Silva.
If he beats Anderson, then he will be able to hold out for renegotiation and get the big raise he’s looking for.
Strikeforce ain’t paying unless CBS is silly enough to cough up a bunch. To me, he’s worth no more than $100,000 per fight to Strikeforce.
by Michael Rome on Oct 21, 2009 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah if he beats Anderson then he’s in the “players” club. Shit if he beats Nate he’ll make even more in the anderson fight. If he beats Anderson then he’s got another huge payday against Machida… at this point his brand will be “aged” enough where he’ll have a very good “retirement” package.
Strikeforce not only needs to match the offer but exceed it greatly for it to make sense for him… Who’s gonna remember Hendo? Who’s gonna remember Arlovski? who remembers Frank Shamrock?
Now compare that to who’s gonna remember Randy, Tito, Chuck, hughes, etc… they will be making money until they die because their “brand” will be on display and syndicated long after they retire and 6 feet under.
by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2009 5:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heard a rumor from a decent source….Dan is asking for $400,000 guaranteed and 1% od the payperview. Again, just a rumor but sounds about right in the “obscene” range for Dan.
by Nick Travaglini on Oct 21, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan ain’t getting no PPV cut so he might as well drop that idea. If I was Dana and Lorenzo this would be my final offer, take it or leave it:
$200,000 to show with $100,000 win bonus
$1,000,000 bonus for winning the MW or LHW title
$200,000 raise for each fight as champ
$150,000 bonus for each succesful title defense
This way Dan has to earn his raise.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 21, 2009 9:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Something I was going to suggest. Very fair. Won’t happen.
by nottheface on Oct 21, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The offer that was given to him was MUCH better than this.
by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Dan turned down a deal better than that then he is completely delusional as to what he thinks he is worth.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
by ufc4 on Oct 22, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He seems to be getting punished for having made a name for himself fighting in the big leagues of Pride, which having been by bought by Zuffa technically means he did everything under the Zuffa umbrella,
by nottheface on Oct 21, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s getting punished by fate and chance though, and, if you have to find a culprit; the fans, because they’re the ones deciding how much he’s worth. He chose Pride over UFC. Were it Pride that came out on top, he’d be getting the Randy Couture contract right now and Couture would be holding out for a better contract. It’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
by Dooda on Oct 21, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THis interview was from a while back, l
by The Bronzeville Bully on Oct 21, 2009 7:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When Dan can’t find the $ he is looking for Dana, will sign him.
by oasis77 on Oct 21, 2009 8:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This video isn't old at all.
Look at the last Dana vblog, it’s the same day.
So this video is from few days ago.
by bawzz on Oct 21, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The thing is Dan doesn’t have time… If Okami wins Nate vs Okami will be made for Andersons last 185lb fight. If That fight gets made Dan is then less relevant.
At this point the final offer Zuffa made will make even less sense for both parties because he’ll be farther from a title shot bonus and his Guarantee becomes inflated getting him back into the mix.
Right now his fight with Nate is HOT… and with a win a rematch with silva will be even HOTTER.
by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Right now his fight with Nate is HOT… and with a win a rematch with silva will be even HOTTER.
Exactly – two guys coming off major KO wins, both with legitimate claims for a re-match with Silva…and all this time on the sidelines is just pissing away his heat.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
by The_Gaijin on Oct 21, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t see Dan going anywhere else at this point. I mean there is always that outside chance Showtime will pony up a retardedly large offer for him but having the competition drastically overpay like that helps the UFC too(look at what it did to Affliction). Besides what Strikeforce needs is heavyweights not middleweights right now.
The fact that Dana is staying very cordial and professional right now is telling, he’s not ending negotiations he’s just playing hardball to get Dan back to the table with a more reasonable price.
by who me on Oct 21, 2009 10:14 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Basically Dana’s going to make Dan come back to the table, cap in hand, hoping to sign the deal they last offered him. He’s basically got zero bargaining power to push them any further and the longer he’s laid off after his big KO of Bisping, the more the fans will just move on to something new.
I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.
by The_Gaijin on Oct 21, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I want to see Hendo go back to Japan and fight for Dream. The Japanese will take care of him better than his own countrymen.
for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.
by Bandaka on Oct 21, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If that was the case he would be in Japan now, he is currently free to sign anywhere he wants.
by who me on Oct 21, 2009 12:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Catch 22
Both Dan Henderson and Dana White are correct in what they are looking for. Dana is looking to protect his business, not overpay for fighters, keep costs down, and do whats best for his company. Dan Henderson is a 39 year old who’s never been fully financially compensated for his worth as a fighter. Nobody can blame him, on a red hot streak and a sick knockout of Bisping that has built some serious mainstream MMA credibility for the first time in his career. There is nothing wrong with him wanting to cash in and he should.
There fights for him in Strikeforce – Shamrock, Shields, Lawler, Mousassi, Babalu, Villasenoir. In fact, there might be more compelling fights in Strikeforce than in the UFC right now after Nate Marquadt and maybe a rematch with Silva.
by mason_beer on Oct 21, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hendo To Strikeforce
"On the sixth day god created man,but on the fifth day man created god" - Todd White on The Book Of Lucifer:
The Enlightenment
by Krawchuck on Oct 21, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
IMO Dan should sign a 1 or 2 fight contract.
once he beats all the contenders, and his contract is up he can ask for more if he is lined up with Silva. even if he gets little money now….once he is sure he is fighting Silva he can raise his price.
by 1WAYtiket on Oct 21, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i just hope that when dana says that negotioations are done, he’s put a final offer on the table and now it is in Hendo’s lap as to take the deal or shop around. I have a feeling that SF or Japan won’t be able to match.
I wonder if Dan is weighing the possibilities of his future income based on retiring from fighting right now with the memory of that wonderful knockout of Bisping vs. possibly retiring after a second loss to Silva or a first loss to anyone else. It seems that his “brand” and coaching opportunities decline greatly with any loss to anyone.
"If you don’t think one (punch) can land with a meow, punch a kitten...."
by themachiavellian on Sep 20, 2009 8:47 PM PDT
by ironic sumo on Oct 21, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Every time Dana talks about this he says “we’ll see what happens,” and even Tito came back, so it’s safe to think that there’s still some offer on the table somewhere. it’s just that Dana isn’t going to be sitting at the table anymore, and it probably isn’t going up.
by Phildo on Oct 21, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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