
(Dan also took his stapler and three boxes of ballpoint pens from the supply closet. Photo courtesy of CombatLifestyle.)
Dana White has never been one to lose a fight gracefully. Now that Dan Henderson has scampered off to rival fight club Strikeforce, it’s time for DW to start telling everybody what a farce Hendo is. As White explained to MMA Fanhouse:
"Let me ask you a question. Do you think that there’s any guy we can’t get that I want? Other than Fedor [Emelianenko]? So far, he’s been the one guy we can’t get. But everyone else that we’ve wanted, we got. If I wanted Dan Henderson, I could’ve signed him…
For
the money he wanted, he’s not worth it. He’s not a big pay-per-view star, he’s not a big attraction, and he’s not going to sell out arenas. He wants way too much and he doesn’t bring anything to the table…I could care less. Here’s the reality: If I wanted him, he’d be in the UFC. It’s not like, ‘F***, Strikeforce beat me out.’ He’s been a free agent for a long time. If I wanted him, I would have signed him by now."
Dana also claims that he effectively forced Henderson out of the organization:
White says that while he originally entered negotiations in good faith, after three or four meetings with Henderson and his management, he realized it was unlikely the two sides would come to terms. Eventually, he lowered his original offer, effectively forcing Henderson’s hand in signing with Strikeforce. "I wanted him to s**t or get off the pot," he said. "He was in this limbo forever, and he needed more motivation to make a decision.
Will Strikeforce be able to pay Henderson even close to what he was asking from the UFC? Probably not — but at least they’ll appreciate him. From an earlier report on Sherdog:
[Henderson's manager Aaron] Crecy said Henderson was “very pleased” with the terms of his new contract and that money was not the fighter’s sole objective in his decision to move to the newer promotion.
“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,” said Crecy. “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."
Hey, whatever you gotta tell yourself…
I would have to agree to comments by 0311. Dana you are slowly turning into a Bald Fat verson of ” Vince Mcman” you are turning a sport that so many of us love into a JOKE. 1. you just Fucked over Dan Hendo. 2. you keep shitty fighters that only ACT stupid for TV ratings. You and your people need to get it together man. Fucking movies video games….. Really… This is supposed to be about good fighters getting better. insted you’ve turned a great show like the ultimate fighter into a ” let’s see who act the most fucked up” on TV. What is going on??? REAL FANS like myself want to know? I know GOOD fighters who have sent in DEMO tapes for the show and have been looked over because they arent CRAZY or STUPID enough for ratings……… bottem line We are both FANS and FIGHTERS. STOP BEING AN IDIOT!!!! Do the right thing. Dan would have taken the belt from Anderson Silva this time….. I think Silva is an awesome Fighter b ut Dan had his number…