StrikeforceDan HendersonFedor Emelianenko was notable for many reasons. The duo are two of MMA's all-time warriors, champions who helped raised the sport from adolescence to adulthood, authoring memorable moments along the way.
The finish though, was tinged with at least a small hint of controversy, after renowned referee Herb Dean stopped the bout shortly after a wild momentum swing saw Henderson hammer Emelianenko with an uppercut as well as a pair of punches from the top that led to the finish. Whether Emelianenko was truly out of it or simply on the way seems the only two choices though, and while he was in big trouble, we'll never truly know if he would have been able to author a comeback from the assault.
The result will stand as a victory for all time, and Henderson will move on, the victor in six of his last seven fights, while Emelianenko suffered his third straight loss. Aside from the black and white of victory and defeat, there are several other questions stemming from the fight, waiting for answers.
What does the win mean for Hendo's career?
cage on Saturday on the last fight of his contract. A loss would have cost him valuable negotiating leverage with Zuffa brass. Now riding a three-fight win streak, Henderson has earned the right to walk into his contract talks with swagger. His age aside -- he'll turn 41 in August -- Henderson has become one of MMA's most exciting fighters. Once derisively nicknamed "Decision Dan" for his tendency to go the distance, Hendo has finished four of his last five opponents.
, and no offense to "The Natural," but Henderson is the more exciting fighter of the two. It may not get him every last dollar he's worth, but his Saturday win offers hope for keeping him in the fold.
What does the loss mean for Fedor's career?
It's very possible that it means the end. Emelianenko has entertained the idea of retirement after each of his previous two fights, and another loss can only compound those thoughts.
Even if Emelianenko doesn't feel like he was hurt as badly as ref Herb Dean thought, he has to know he was at least stunned badly enough for it to look troublesome. Fedor seems to be at peace with his place in the world these days. He didn't rant and rave after the stoppage, even though he disagreed with it. It was almost as if he was accepting of his fate. That makes you wonder if his mind is totally committed, or if he's just going through the motions because he feels that's what everyone wants of him. While I assume it's the former, Emelianenko has given enough to the sport to walk away without apologies to anyone. Losing to Henderson is no shame. Emelianenko is likely to be cut by Zuffa, and whether he chooses to call it quits or fight elsewhere, his is a career to be applauded.
Was the stoppage justified?
This is a question without a hard answer. Herb Dean is among the most seasoned of referees, and rarely makes errors, so I am inclined to accept his decision even if my initial reaction was to disagree. It seems as though most believe he made the right call in pulling Henderson off Emelianenko with 48 seconds left in the round, after a Henderson uppercut caused Emelianenko to fall face-first to the canvas.
The punch definitely hurt Emelianenko, but I'm not sure it was a knockout shot. Within one second, he had managed to move to his back, but it was just as Dean moved in to call a halt to the action. Henderson may have finished more decisively given a few more seconds, or Emelianenko might have bought time to recover. It's clear Hendo hurt him, but we'll never know which would have happened. My slight hesitation to agree with Dean is tempered by my belief that it's better to stop a fight too early than too late. After watching the replay several times, including in slow motion, I still don't know whether it was right or wrong, but that speaks to the degree of difficulty involved. It's just another reminder that refereeing fights is among the most thankless jobs in sports.
Were Hendo's finishing shots legal?
Yes. There have been complaints that Hendo's last two or three shots to a grounded Emelianenko were to the back of the head. When Emelianenko semi-face planted during that finishing sequence, he fell nose-down. Henderson's first punch landed on the right side of his face and turned Emelianenko's head a bit to the left. He followed up with two shots. One was borderline illegal but is never called in such an instance when the defending fighter is twisting away. If the offensive fighter starts his punching motion and the defending fighter's movement causes it to land in an illegal spot, it's almost never called. That's a referee's judgment call that goes beyond the black-and-white of the rulebook, and it's one that is necessary in the split-second action of MMA.
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Fedor Emelianenko makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson gets ready for the main event at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson get final instructions at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson punches Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson square off at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko punches Dan Henderson at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson celebrates his first-round TKO win at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko gets treatment after his loss at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson gets his hand raised at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen makes her way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen punches Miesha Tate at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate battle at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen punches Miesha Tate at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate swings at Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Marloes Coenen reacts after her loss at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Miesha Tate celebrates her win over Marloes Coenen at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy gets ready for his fight at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy kicks Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy kicks Robbie Lawler at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler punches Tim Kennedy at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy battles Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy is a bloody mess after his fight with Robbie Lawler on the ground at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley makes his way to the cage at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley kicks Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley punches Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley tries to knee Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Paul Daley tries to submit Tyron Woodley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley celebrates his unanimous decision win over Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley celebrates his unanimous decision win over Paul Daley at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine punches Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine tries to kick Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine kicks Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine punches Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Scott Smith kicks Tarec Saffiedine at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tarec Saffiedine celebrates his unanimous decision win over Scott Smith at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante gets ready for his fight at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Bobby Green kicks JZ Cavalcante at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante punches Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante tries to finish Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante tries to finish Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante kicks Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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JZ Cavalcante celebrates his unanimous decision win over Bobby Green at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson looks to finish Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Dan Henderson rocks Fedor Emelianenko at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Gabriel Salinas-Jones def. Bryan Humes via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Derek Brunson def. Lumumba Sayers via submission at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Alexis Davis def. Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson punches Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Tyler Stinson celebrates his first-round knockout against Eduardo Pamplona at Fedor vs. Henderson on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
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Will both Hendo & Fedor say goodbye to Strikeforce after Saturday night?
It is a real possibility. After three straight losses, Fedor and his big paydays could certainly be cut. The alternative exists that Strikeforce management asks him to take a pay cut, but a release seems more likely.
As for Henderson, his deal is also up. Winning six of his last seven, he's not going to want to take less money in a new deal, but since Strikeforce doesn't have the cash flow of UFC, he's unlikely to get the same offer that originally brought him to the company. He could play hardball and hold out for top dollar, but Zuffa hasn't suffered fools lightly lately, and at nearly 41, Henderson doesn't have time to wait things out. It's quite possible that he asks for a big number and Zuffa declines and invites him to try his luck elsewhere.
If that were the case, Strikeforce could lose Henderson, Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem all within 72 hours.
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