According to Sherdog.com, Dan Henderson (25-7) has inked a sixteen-month, four-fight, deal with Strikeforce. Dollar figures have not been released, but rumour has it that we could see "Hendo" fight Jake Shields (24-4-1), Strikeforce's current middleweight champ, on CBS as early as April, 2010.
Henderson's exit from the UFC roster comes as no surprise. Speculation that he would leave began circulating in early October and UFC President Dana White has commented on multiple occasions that Henderson was asking for an unrealistic amount of money. Henderson was likely peeved that the "guaranteed" title shot he was offered following UFC 100, which would have been a rematch with Anderson Silva (25-4), never came through.
Dan's contract with Strikeforce is a major coup for the promotion and could also provide a viable opponent for their Light-Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi (27-2-1). If Henderson managed to win fights against both Shield and Mousasi, it would be the second time he has simultaneously held two straps within a major promotion. So far, he is the only MMA fighter to have accomplished that feat, having added PRIDE FC's 205lb. belt to his 185lb. belt with a knock out of Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) in 2007.
The following comments were made by Dan Henderson's manager and business partner Aaron Crecy:
“Dan likes to be a maverick, and I think part of the attraction to Strikeforce was to be a part of something that broadens the growth of the sport within the U.S. and globally. The fact that Strikeforce offers a network television platform in CBS as well as a premium cable partner in Showtime was particularly appealing to him. It delivers an incredible opportunity for Dan to perform live before an audience of millions of present and future MMA fans. Also, (Strikeforce CEO) Scott Coker treated Dan with a great deal of respect and integrity throughout the negotiations, and that certainly affected his decision. Dan is very excited to be a part of the Strikeforce family."
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