After months of speculation, Dan Henderson has finally agreed to sign with Strikeforce. FanHouse has learned that the 12-year veteran, who was last seen knocking out Michael Bisping at UFC 100 in July, recently came to terms with the San Jose-based organization on a multi-fight agreement.At this time, it is unknown when and where Henderson will make his debut for Strikeforce.
Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole first reported the possibility of Henderson signing with Strikeforce in October, but at Strikeforce's CBS event in Chicago last month, the former PRIDE middleweight and light heavyweight champion told FanHouse that he had not come to terms with the organization yet.
Henderson returned to the UFC in September 2007 following Zuffa's purchase of PRIDE. He lost a light heavyweight title unification bout against Rampage Jackson at UFC 75 and then a middleweight unification match with Anderson Silva at UFC 82. Following those back-to-back losses, he would go on to win his next three UFC fights against Rousimar Palhares, Rich Franklin and Bisping.
Recently, Henderson had publicly talked about being frustrated with the fact that he didn't receive a middleweight title shot following his victory over Bisping and that he was hoping for a bump in salary.
"I'm just hoping to get out there and fight again and get paid what I would like the get paid. I'm not asking to be the top-paid guy at out there at all," he told FanHouse at the last Strikeforce event.
"It's a little step up from my last pay check, but a lot less than a lot of other guys are getting paid," Henderson added when asked what kind of salary he was seeking.
According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Henderson earned $100,00 to show for his UFC 100 fight and an extra $150,000 for the win. He also earned an extra $100,000 for winning the "knockout of the night" award.
The addition of Henderson to its roster beefs up Strikeforce's 185-pound and 205-pound division. The obvious money fight right off the bat would be against light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi, who is currently riding a 14-fight winning streak.
"He's a very tough opponent. Those are the type of guys I like to fight and the guys that it's going to be a big challenge for me," Henderson said.
In November, Henderson said that he was hoping to fight again around Super Bowl weekend (early February), which works out well for him because Strikeforce has a show scheduled for Jan. 30 in Florida.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lets hope for a January 30th debut
Kill shot.
Let's hear all the UFC patsies now say Hendo sucks and that he was scared of fighting in the UFC.
Strikeforce keeps plugging away and getting talent.
Henderson vs Le or Mousasi make sense IMO. Maybe even Henderson vs Fedor in a catchweight fight o_O ... Skys the limit.
Mark my words Rampage will also migrate to SF once he finishes his Zuffa slave labor. 'Page sees how Coker treats his fighters (look at Le with all his movies) and probably wishes he were there now.
Dana better be careful because he has been putting crappy shows together all year and is losing a marquee name every few months to SF.
Woo! I'm excited to see Hendo fight again and honestly am looking forward to seeing him in Strikeforce more than the UFC I think. Makes Strikeforce more and more interesting with every fighter they sign.
Does this mean he could also fight in Dream?
it looks to me that he has only one or two real competitors in strikeforce,where as ufc has 6 or 7 guys in his 2 classes that can compeat with him ,so ufc would be a better place to get real fights but he didnt get the money he wants so good bye ufc,,,, good luck hendo ,you are a legend
Mousassi vs. Hendo? That would be awesome!
No I think he will fightg in your dreams
You might be but he isn't proven as a draw to the average fan. In fact his only decent fight in the UFC was when he knocked out Bisping. He could well be fighting in Dream but other than Mousasi who is there really for him to fight at LHW or MW outside of the UFC?
I can think of Gegard and maybe Babalu but who wants to see that fight? Purely chasing the quick buck. I'm sure he could have made more money in the UFC but he was looking for too much, more than his worth.
I could easily see Hendo fighting Melvin Manhoef, Jacare Souza, Mayhem Miller, Jake Shuelds, Matt Lindland, Babalu Sobral and the one everyone wants to see Gegard Mousasi. SF just keeps deepening their roster with talent and there is nothing Zuffa can do to slow them down now or ever.
It's also a different scenario in regards to SF because they don't survive solely or at all on PPV. People know who Hendo is and they'll tune into CBS to see him fight.
How about a clash of the titans in Fedor vs Hendo catchweight fight!!! The possibilities are endless.
SF may not have all the well known names yet but they have great fighters.
Mark my words: Rampage will be the next to come over after his UFC contract is finished. He sees the difference in how Coker treats his fighters (noons & Cung Le and their burgeoning acting careers) compared to being mocked and ridiculed by Dana for aspiring to be more than just a cage fighter.
WAR StrikeForce
WAR UFC losing more talent until they dump Dana
UFC got Kimbo and SF got HENDO!!!!!!
Let's hear the usual suspects say Hendo isn't that good anyway and if he were they'd of kept him.
typical ufc. they rake in 50 mil, and pay out 100k.
Hendo is a middle weight and is still one of the best middleweights in the world. if he had a good camp before the silva fight he likely would be the champion right now. i want hendo to fight where he's an undisputed contender, thats at middleweight not lhw.
You hit it on the head. The UFC is like Don King, they want to be in charge of everything you do and take home a majority of the profits. I like the fact that another big name has flipped UFC the bird.
I realize that his show money was 100k, but he planned to walk out of the cage with 250k that night and ended up to 350k ... not to shabby.
Henderson is a great fighter and an MMA legend, but it's possible that he isn't worth the money he was asking. Wins over Palhares, Franklin (split), and Bisping (overrated) are impressive, but not the stuff future champions.
I thought Dana White was a smart man,But to let Dan go is stupid.He is a big name drawer.
After UFC 100 the average fan knows who Dan Henderson is. A Henderson vs. Silva or Henderson vs. Belfort would draw. The real problem is the UFC middle weight division you have 2 or 3 good fighters and thats it. Can't wait to see Hendo vs. Sheilds or Hendo vs. Mousassi. He should smash Sheilds.
Congrats Dan!
The only talent Strikeforce has stolen from the UFC has come because Dana White and Zuffa didn't give them the contracts they wanted. If you put UFC on prime time Cable, not Spike TV, I gurantee more than 25 million would watch. Hendo fights Moussasi, then who does he have to fight. UFC he has Anderson Silva, Nate Marquardt, Jon Jones, Vitor Belfort, ect ect at 185 and 205. Hendo was probably asking for way too much money, and the UFC has way too much talent to rely on Hendo.
I’m so proud to see MMA companies like Strikeforce out there. I’ve been watching UFC for years and am a loyal fan up until lately. With the WWE like stuff going on lately, I do believe it’s all about the money. This is short-term gain and long term loss for White. We will see an end to a dynasty if they keep fixing fights. Dan is an upright guy, I’m proud for him.
Very excited to see him fight!
Shields would likely vacate the 185 title before he would fight Henderson. Hendo would smash Sheilds
dana DO YOUR JOB
I looks like I will be watching Strikeforce more often.