Quote of the Day: Dan Henderson's Demands Would Not Make Him Highest Paid UFC Fighter

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 23, 2009 12:04 PM EDT in News Comment 64 comments

"Contracts are confidential, so that statement’s impossible to prove or disprove," said Crecy. "However, we have done our due diligence. We certainly don’t believe that to be the case. Dan understands and we have a certain belief on where he stands in the hierarchy. Certainly there are champions and former UFC champions that deserve to be paid more than Dan. Right now (Dan’s) just trying to gather information, and that’s his right to do as someone who has no obligation to any particular organization," said Crecy. "After negotiating exclusively with the UFC for the last few months, he’s exploring what options there are."

- Dan Henderson's camp speaking to Sherdog.com

We certainly are hitting a point where the negotiations are getting ugly and the back and forth bickering in public isn't making either party look all that great.

ht: MMAForReal

0 recs | Comment 64 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I’d call it more of a stalemate than an ugly situation. The whole part of the article where he’s formally regarding Dana’s suggestion that he’s ugly was the funniest thing I’ve seen in awhile.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I’m actually very surprised at how cordial this has been. Sure there’s been some tactics to sway public favor but otherwise it seems rather friendly. There’s a mutual “let’s not burn any bridges here” feeling.

by nastyem on Oct 23, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s because of the situation. With Randy they were probably scared a little bit so they had to go all out offensive. With Tito, they could be nasty and it was all just part of the bigger Dana v. Tito storyline that’s been playing out for years.

This time around, they actually do get along, and judging from watching Dana in his interviews, he really doesn’t think SF can match their offer.

by Phildo on Oct 23, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think if this really is about the money, Dana knows Dan can’t get that kind of deal with SF. And if somehow Dan does get that kind of a deal, good luck trying to promote him. They’ll have an aging fighter who is not a draw, with no footage to promote with, who they paid a large sum of money to. I think Dan has no real choice but to come back and take Dana’s offer unless Dan makes this about something more than just money, which I don’t think it is.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Oct 23, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

" They’ll have an aging fighter who is not a draw, with no footage to promote with, who they paid a large sum of money to."

SF did sign Fedor…

by Razreshat on Oct 23, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Dan Henderson,

hopefully they can work something out.

by WestbergIDFC on Oct 23, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crecy confirmed that Feagan and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker met Wednesday in Los Angeles. White told reporters Thursday he’d seen the couple in a restaurant. Crecy also indicated that Henderson would not be required to present any outside offers he receives to the UFC for matching, a standard practice usually included in the promotion’s contracts.

Were they on a date? Jesus Sherdog..

by Phildo on Oct 23, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we can be happy that two ugly men can look beyond appearances in what will be hopefully a wonderful, joyful relationship.

by dv8shun on Oct 23, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem with Henderson exploring his options its probably the best a fighter can do. In the end its still business and thats what people do they explore their best options. I believe he will be back in the UFC very shortly it seems he may have just come in with a high number and is playing hardball

by nsiegel on Oct 23, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hendo can fall back on his second career as a hand and foot model if the UFC doesn’t work out.

Keep firing Assholes!

Never trust a man with no shirt on.

by Ubernoober on Oct 23, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ear model?

by soadtrails on Oct 23, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how much FEG or Sengoku would pay him. If they pay enough, he should just fight over there and stack his cash for some time. Easier competition too, but I’m not sure he’s worth enough to them that he could gouge them.

FEG sure did pay Nick Diaz though.

by TheAlphaNerd on Oct 23, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know just how much those organizations would have to offer Dan financially. I seem to recall that one of the reasons why Crocop came back to the UFC, besides wanting to improve his record, was due to the money UFC could offer. Apparently no one else could match it. But then, that’s CC, so I don’t know how that would compare to Dan.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Oct 23, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed. There are actually people who would pay to see Crocop fight.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know Dan is a legend and all, but him even being in the discussion of highest paid fighters seems silly.

by Razzel on Oct 23, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dan is a complete bad#@$

pay this guy.

by TheProletariat on Oct 23, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“dan is ~~a complete bad#@$~~ a ONE dimensional 39-year-old with no chance of being a contender in TWO divisions.”

Fixed.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

He’s a middleweight contender right now though.

by nastyem on Oct 23, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Contender for what? You think he has a shot against Silva? I know I don’t.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally I doubt he wins against Silva, but that doesn’t rule out his contention for the title.

by nastyem on Oct 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we call it “his pointless contention for the title”?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't have a shot against Silva

because he would never make it past Marquart.

"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick

by mythbuster on Oct 23, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty harsh

Dan is a great fighter, but not worth nearly what he seems to want.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

do you know how much he’s asking?

by NinjaCodah on Oct 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This much (you should see my arms right now).

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

WOW.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry, but this is all crazy

The guy is OLD and getting OLDER. He lost two title shots back to back, and hasn’t really shown why they should keep him around (Are you hoping to catch the replay of the Palhares fight on UFC Unleashed? Me either!) let alone give him a raise.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, THIS is a bit crazy

He just demolished the most famous British fighter on their roster, is coming off of coaching TUF, has world class wrestling and (still) heavy hands, can definitely still fight and not everything is about whether or not a guy can win a title. He poses arguably the biggest threat to Anderson, doesn’t that count for something? What if they start this long-rumored 195 division? You’re looking at the champ.

If title contention is how you measure fighters, you must think the whole roster is disposable.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So:

a) Bisping’s fame and nationality are meaningless. Not as meaningless as his standing in the middleweight division, but…

b) Coaching TUF? Does that make him a better fighter?

c) Sure his wrestling is great – you should remind him of that. He seems to have forgotten.

d) He posed a big threat to Anderson BEFORE they fought. Now? Not so much.

e) I’m not saying vying for the title is the only reason to keep somebody around, but if they can’t do that, they aren’t a draw, they aren’t developing new skills and they’re turning 40, what IS the reason to keep him around? So that the sixteen remaining PRIDE fans who haven’t gotten their “HENDO FOREVER” tattoos removed will enjoy the nostalgia?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you fucking kidding?

A) VALUE.
B) VALUE.
C) Really, because he seems to be doing just fine. Huh…
D) He won round one, hombre. That’s well publicized.
E) You’re bending it. The point you made was that he hasn’t shown why they should keep him around, and that’s a point that bucks any conversation regarding his cost. So… If you think Hendo is not a quality talent— a top five talent— then you’re clearly confused. You seem to be torn between whether it matter if he’s popular or not (disregarding what he did to Bisping and his TUF exposure, then polarizing that with his remaining PRIDE hanger’s on), whether or not he’s talented (He doesn’t use his wrestling? Someone should have told Bisping, Toquinho and Franklin that would have made a difference) and that he’s aging (showing no signs of it in his most recent fight).

So, to that point— whether the UFC should want to keep Hendo around?— of course they should.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What you’re describing is all potential value – not demonstrated value. And potential is something you look for in guys 18-30. Once they hit 40, they’d better draw like Randy.

And should they want to keep him around? Maybe – but is worth any amount of trouble? Is he worth more than he was already getting paid? I’d say no.

(And no, this doesn’t explain Coleman – does anything?)

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 24, 2009 6:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IF the fight with Franklin was 5 rounds, Franklin would have won.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Oct 24, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 24, 2009 5:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He lost to the best MW and the second best LHW the UFC has, that isn’t a reason to fire someone.

Aging on the other hand is totally bullshit and he needs to knock that off.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

He should do whatever Randy is doing.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hormone replacement

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 23, 2009 5:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

RAW will reign for another 100 years.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s three dimensional he throws a right hook, doesn’t get knocked out, and takes people down sometimes.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Where by sometimes

…you mean increasingly infrequently… Sigh.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep. Being a Hendo fan is painful sometimes.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frankly, I think he has a better chance at being successful in the 205 division because there’s more “name” fights for him there and I’d give him pretty good odds against everyone not named Machida.

I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.

by The_Gaijin on Oct 23, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's just crowded

195, please. They have the talent for it, no doubt.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do they have enough talent for a 195 division that wouldn’t decimate what was left of the 185 division? I don’t really think so.

by Hardcase on Oct 23, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Errr...

205 go down. 185 go up. Division. Yes?

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If only so Wanderlie wouldn’t have to choose between getting mauled by bigger fighters or dehydrating himself to death.

by nottheface on Oct 23, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Yeah, that’s one guy that would certainly benefit. I compiled a list about two months back and it could make for a really awesome division that would not saturate either 185 or 205. Guys like Franklin and Hendo have champion written all over them, but are almost powerless to acquire a title in their current divisions.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Oct 23, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This story has officially jumped the shark.

"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick

by mythbuster on Oct 23, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Man, this is a lot of drama for a guy that’s 3-2 in the UFC and has looked unimpressive in TWO title shots. What’s the point in keeping him around? Is Rich Franklin not doing a good enough job as a gatekeeper?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Oct 23, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and has looked unimpressive in TWO title shots

I thought he looked pretty good against Rampage. I’d like to see them fight again actually.

I am the bastard love child of Junie Browning and Diamond Dave Kaplan.

by The_Gaijin on Oct 23, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d like to see him fight Marquart, like he was supposed to.

"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick

by mythbuster on Oct 23, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reality is

Your not getting highest paid money at 39, with a 3-2 record and very little verified PPV draw

by SimplePsych on Oct 23, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Especially if all the career milestones you've achieved were in a different promotion.

by Razreshat on Oct 23, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i’m not sure he could beat marqurdt.

by bdw on Oct 23, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NBD - Never Believe Dana

When it comes to contract negotiations with fighters, I follow the simple rule above.

by klown on Oct 23, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NBA - Never Believe Anyone

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Oct 24, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As the great songwriter Frederick Durst once said

It’s all about the he said, she said bullshit.

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 23, 2009 3:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

You lose a rec’d for bringing up Limp Bizkit.

by nottheface on Oct 23, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will people quit referencing his 3-2 record? You sound ridiculous when you consider his two losses were to two of the UFC’s five poster boys…

Don't argue for the sake of arguing....

by Screwface on Oct 23, 2009 3:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

It's true

The record “logic” is a little silly. If records and paydays were on par, Wanderlei Silva would be fighting for free by now

by nastyem on Oct 23, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what? He wants to be paid like said poster boys so why is it unfair to point out that he’s not as good as them?

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 23, 2009 5:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

He gets less than Bisping. I think he’s better than that guy.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So is Yushin Okami

You think he’s gonna get more than Bisping?

Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.

by ufc4 on Oct 23, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bisping and Hendo were both potential contenders, they’ve had Okami on the backburner for awhile. Obviously Bisping gets a Being British Bonus, but giving more money to the guy they still wanna push as a contender seems sensible to me.

by omigawda on Oct 23, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs