Dan Henderson to UFC: Show Me The Money

Apparent free agent former PRIDE two-division champion “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-7) and the UFC can’t agree to a contract to extend the American’s second stint in the Octagon, according to Henderson’s statement to Sherdog.

Fighters.com has contacted Henderson for comment, but hadn’t been replied to at the time of publication.

“Obviously I feel my value has gone up enough to warrant what I’ve asked for.  I don’t think I’m being greedy by any means.  There’s a lot of numbers being thrown around out there and I feel I should be paid what I ask for. They feel like, I guess, I’m not worth that though,” Henderson told Sherdog Thursday.

Hendo’ knocked out Brit “Count” Michael Bisping (17-2) in highlight reel fashion at UFC 100 in Las Vegas in July, fulfilling his obligations to the UFC under his previous contract.

He apparently hasn’t negotiated with any other promotions since his contract with the UFC ended.  He said, “I haven’t talked to anyone yet.  I’m just kind of giving the UFC a chance to figure things out. I don’t want to be disrespectful in any way and I don’t want to waste anyone else’s time, like Strikeforce.”

However, Strikeforce’s rise with with a broadcast deal with CBS on American television and established top ten champions like “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1) at 205 and a matchup in November between Jake Shields (23-4-1) and “Mayhem” Jason Miller (22-5) to determine a 185-pound champion give Henderson something to think about in terms of promotion and competition outside the Octagon.  Presumably, a Strikeforce contract would also allow him to return to Japan where he was a long-time middleweight champion in PRIDE and the light heavyweight champion briefly before the UFC bought the rival promotion.  Henderson has a loyal Japanese following.

However, Henderson wants a rematch with Fighters.com and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4), who tapped Hendo’ in a rear naked choke at UFC 82 in Columbus in March 2008.  UFC President Dana White had announced the rematch in July, but has replaced Henderson with “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (18-8) due to the company’s and Henderson’s inability to reach a deal.