Photo: Josh Hedges
After much speculation, Dan Henderson finally defined his future in MMA. The fighter, who made history at now-defunct Pride FC as the champion of two weight divisions, bid farewell to the UFC and signed a four-fight deal with his former employer’s greatest competitor, Strikeforce.“I’m really happy to be a part of Strikeforce. Strikeforce and its growing roster of world-class talent will offer me many exciting fights and has the ability to bring many new fans from all around the world to mixed martial arts,” Henderson said in a press release.
Henderson figured on the Olympic wrestling team of the United States on two occasions. He fought five times in the UFC and won three. The fighter had complaints regarding his salary and even Brazilian Vitor Belfort’s cutting to the front of the line in the middleweight division. It is worth noting how Henderson had two opportunities to win UFC belts, losing back-to-back title challenges to Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva for the light heavyweight and middleweight belts, respectively.
Although he has only just arrived at his new home, at 39 years of age, the former Pride champion is already mentioning the possibility of facing Fedor Emelianenko.
Without remarking on the possibility of such a matchup, the wrestler’s new boss, Scott Coker, is very happy with the weight-carrying reinforcement. “We are excited to receive him in Strikeforce,” says the Strikeforce CEO in finishing.