http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/12/07/dana-white-i-pushed-dan-henderson-into-signing-with-strikeforce/ As Dan Henderson's free-agent flirtations with both Strikeforce and the UFC continued without resolution for the last few months, many seemed torn about whether the veteran would eventually return to the UFC. UFC President Dana White, however, was not one of those people. Telling FanHouse that Henderson's decision-making process forced him to change negotiating strategy and that he ultimately pushed Henderson into signing with Strikeforce, White made it clear that losing Henderson was not a big blow to his organization. "He's happy, but the reality is that I pushed him into signing that deal," White told FanHouse. "I told people over the weekend that he'd sign within the next week." More: Dan Henderson Headed to Strikeforce 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. "Let me ask you a question," he continued. "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." Henderson (25-7) became a free agent after his UFC 100 win over Michael Bisping in July. Despite the fact that Henderson is a former PRIDE champion and took part in high-profile UFC bouts with Anderson Silva, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Rich Franklin, White says that his addition will actually hurt Strikeforce. "For the money he wanted, he's not worth it," he said. "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." Although he added there are no hard feelings between the UFC and Henderson, White virtually closed the door on a potential return in the future, saying Henderson's age (39) would probably work against that. He was not as kind with Strikeforce, saying it was another move that would lead to more problems for the upstart organization. "Nothing's going to help Strikeforce," he said. "They have too many fighters under contract and not enough events. They can't keep some of their obligations to fighters already. Either they're going to start breaching contracts or paying fighters not to fight. It'll take a lot more than one guy to help them. Their whole business model is f****d. They're coming after UFC? Yeah, OK. "I could care less," he continued. "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." ****Butthurt in disguise****
Dana White is a spindoctor. I think he is the biggest waste of money in mma. Yes he is butthurt. He knows he does'nt have the top heavyweight, and now lost one of the best 185/205 fighters out there.
Usual car salesman spin. Dana's an extremely competitive an astute businessman as well as promoter. He wanted Hendo to resign. Unfortunately for him Hendo played a poker card he didnt expect.
Strikeforce's roster is becoming stacked. If people don't buy into that business model then that is bad. Alot of people want to get into the MMA business (Showtime, CBS, EA Sports etc). I think Strikeforce are doing what a business should do. Take risks to make it big.
:good Strikeforce is great for fans of mma! Let's hope the risks they are taking pay-off for all concerned!!
:good It's a shame Hendo will not be fighting in the UFC (The possible Hendo vs Nate Mardquardt fight was one I was looking forward to), but i'm looking forward to watching him perform in Strikeforce and it will be interesting to see who he fights first! Cung Le? Gegard Mousasi? Both fights (Among others) would be fantastic to watch!
lol at dana saying he's not a ppv star or attraction when he headlined 3 UFC ppvs, was one of the coaches in the ultimate fighter and after his devastating knockout over michael bisping at UFC 100 which was the most watched UFC ppv of all time. he's pissed that he didn't get hendo to resign and he's not fooling anyone.
Dana could have easily paid what Hendo wanted but he didn't. Therefore, he did kind of force him to look elsewhere for more money
It's not a matter of "couldn't," it is a matter of two parties were negotiating, they had a different valuation of the contract, and neither felt an agreement would be reached. I can buy a $50 cup of coffee, I just won't pay that much for coffee. Not that Hendo could possibly have been asking for something as ludicrous as that, but the idea is that an agreement could have been made, the two just didn't agree on the price.
As much of a Hendo fan and White hater as I am, White is right on this. Hendo wanted Liddell/Couture/Fedor money, and the fact is he isn't that big a star or a draw.
I would like to see Rampage in SF eventually too. Does SF do pay per view? I think they show their fights on Showtime and CBS. I don't recall them doing a PPV show in their short as of yet existence. But I have to admit Penn vs Sanchez is one hell of a matchup! So the UFC could be hot again in a few days.
I can't be arsed to read what Dana White has to say anymore. :tired He's the biggest liar, bull shitter, hypocrite, joker and nonsense talker in the history of promoting. I'd rather be raped in all holes by King, Arum, Shaw and Warren than listen to a word that White has to say. :ass
