How Not to Re-Negotiate a Deal, by Dan Henderson
October 19, 2009
First came the news that Dan Henderson is a free agent.
Then Dan Henderson let it be known he didn’t want to fight for anyone but the UFC.
That negotiating tactic left many scratching their heads, but now FightersOnlyMagazine.co.uk is reporting that Henderson associate Aaron Crecy wishes to make clear that Henderson is nowhere close to a deal with Strikeforce.
I’m not sure how this is supposed to get Henderson a better offer from UFC, which I still assume is his goal, although I guess if he really is Strikeforce bound, it makes for hardball negotiating.
I just don’t see Dan Henderson ever going to Strikeforce, just as Tito Ortiz never had any intention of fighting for (remember them?) EliteXC.
3 Responses to “How Not to Re-Negotiate a Deal, by Dan Henderson”
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First came Dana White.
Second came Dana White.
Third came the brothers.
Tito was close to going with Affliction but they ran out of money and time. Dan would make an excellent addition to the Strikeforce roster.
I think that these negotiation issues may have less to do with Hendo’s talent, than with issues such as PPV draws. As far as Hendo sees it, I could imagine he (rightly) thinks of himself as a top-shelf fighter who can and has put on good fights and has a great rep, and should be next in line to try to take the MW title at UFC. All true, however, I bet Zuffa is thinking from more of a PPV draw as headliner/main event $$-maker rather just from skill level, which is where there might be the divide between the two camps. I mean, who wants to see Hendo/Silva again as the main event on a PPV? Especially with the numbers Zuffa wants to draw on PPV, giving Hendo the money he wants, then having a poor PPV draw on a Hendo/Silva, Hendo loses then has to headline on other cards and draw good PPV’s numbers to justify those $$’s?? I can see why Dana is playing hardball. Hendo is in a tough place. He’s a great fighter, with tons of skills, but with the Spider ruling MW, his age, and potential opponents at MW, not the best PPV draw.