October 17, 2009, at 12:57 pm
We’ve all been wondering when Strikeforce was going to make their first big move to try and compete with the UFC. Up until now, it’s been all about picking up guys that the UFC no longer wants like Nick Diaz. Then, 3SS favorite Jay Hieron actually chose to take Strikeforce’s offer over that of the UFC. However, the first person to make the jump might just be one of the UFC’s top fighters. From Cagewriter:
It’s one thing to nab Fedor Emelianenko and retain the rights to Gegard Mousasi, now Strikeforce may have awakened the beast by stealing Dan Henderson from the UFC. Henderson, who has been pining for a title rematch against Anderson Silva, finally gave up on that possibility and according to Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole is going to sign with Strikeforce
The obvious fights for the 205-pound Henderson with Strikeforce/Showtime have to be Mousasi and newly signed Mo Lawal. There may not be a ton of depth for Henderson to run through but at 39-years-old, he’s clearly jumping at one final chance to make big money and the opportunity to fight on CBS. Strikeforce debuts its first CBS card on Nov. 7.
Our theory is that Henderson was told that he isn’t going to get his shot at Anderson Silva anytime soon. Silva is in a position of power because he’s one of the UFC’s main draws and now has the power to make his own fights because of his popularity.
However, you have to say that some of those fights are really interesting. I would love to see Mousasi take on Hendo’s big right hand at 205, and Jake Shields at 185 is an intrguing wrestler versus grappler match-up.
Don’t think that it’s a done deal yet, though.
UPDATE: According to MMA Fanhouse, management on both sides say no deal is done.
“We had a brief get-to-know-you session with (Strikeforce) and met them for coffee, but to say he’s close to signing would be a gross misrepresentation,” said Henderson business partner Aaron Crecy said.
When reached by FanHouse, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said, “We’ve had dialogue with Dan but that’s all I’d like to say.”
Nonetheless, Hendo is in a situation where he is going to take whatever the best offer is. This is a good thing for MMA, because as long as Strikeforce stays in business, there will be more jobs for fighters in this country and fewer of them will have to go abroad to make a living.
If Henderson is the first fighter to make the jump, he might be blazing a trail for future athletes in his sport to make more money and live a better life. However, something tells me that Dana White might not be happy, and Hendo might burn all his bridges back to the UFC.
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