Benson Henderson talked to Newsday this past week about his experience with free agency and his decision to sign with Bellator. The Q&A is an interesting look at the process of MMA Free Agency.
Henderson stated he signed an 8 fight deal with the UFC and was offered chances to re-sign prior to the expiration of his contract. However, at some point he decided he wanted to test the free agency waters.
In the interview, he envisions, in 20 years, an MMA business landscape where “mid-level guys” will be able to sustain a comfortable career and be financially stable.
Henderson stated that he talked to a variety of organizations like ONE FC, Bellator and a couple other organizations in Asia.
Payout Perspective:
Will mid-level guys make money as Henderson thinks they will? If this were to occur, there must be more than just one organization that could drive a marketplace. Henderson’s comments seem to assume that there is fan demand out there for MMA/combat sports.
The Greatest says
Qui Xiao Jun just did 200M viewers in China.
Boxing wins
d says
Hahaha. You are nuts.
The Greatest says
April 9th Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin for the IBF HW title. Huge fight.
d says
…..that no one cares about.
tops E says
http://www.boxingscene.com/qiu-xiao-juns-big-win-draws-200-million-tv-viewers-china–101318….
.200 mil…global truly global 4 plus mill ppv u.s. 200m in china…..hahahahaha
tops E says
They should put that chinese boxer on an undercard in the u.s. How much money they can charge for tv rights fee in china….money money money
tops E says
4m plus is pac/may record
d says
He would get 100k views on HBO. HAHAHA! Yeah, real money!!!
200m viewers in China = a penny on the dollar in the US.
The Greatest says
Anthony Joshuas last fight was on ppv in the U.K. and did 450k. They were expecting 150k-200k.
This guy is probably the future of the HW division. Guys a monster.
d says
That isn’t true, but regardless no one cares about him in the US. He wouldn’t draw WSOF numbers here.
There is no present OR future of the HW division in boxing.
The Greatest says
Yea right. Hes the exact type of fighter that would pull great viewership in America, especially if hes a title holder.
d says
Hahaha. Right, that’s why he’s pulling viewership in America….oh yeah that’s right, he’s not. UK fighters don’t sell in the US.
tops E says
Hahaha…after telling D he is putting too much effort,he shortens all his posts hahahaha self conscious…but thats right D keep it short…good for everybody hahaha
d says
Self conscious would more likely be the delusional nutjob who fabricates information on this site daily ranting like a quack. Haha.