The latest round of contract negotiations between Dan Henderson and the Ultimate Fighting Championship have reached an impasse.
Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports broke the news tonight that Henderson and the UFC have been unable to reach a deal and that Henderson is on the verge of signing with rival promotion Strikeforce. That’s not the case, however, as sources within Strikeforce tell Heavy.com that negotiations with the former PRIDE champion have yet to take place. Henderson is planning a hunting trip that will last two weeks and has no plans to make any decisions before it ends.
Heavy.com has also learned that Henderson and the UFC are “far apart” on contract negotiations. Henderson is asking for a contract that will make him one of the highest-paid fighters on the roster, and the UFC offer is said to be considerably lower. Both Henderson and the UFC have exhibited little desire to budge on the negotiations.
Henderson has repeated throughout the negotiation period that he has zero interest in going to Strikeforce. But sources close to his camp indicated to Sports Illustrated tonight that even though the UFC is his first choice, Henderson is now open to leaving.