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What is the real reason why Dan Henderson left the UFC?
January 24, 2010
Easy. He hates Vitor Belfort.
Looks like we won’t get to play as Dan Henderson again in the coming UFC Undisputed 2010 eh? Yes, Hendo just inked a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce, leaving Dana White and the UFC for greener pastures.
But at 39 years old, how greener can these pastures still be for Dan Henderson? Really? As far as Henderson is concerned, it looks like he could care less, as long as he can stick it up to Dana White for giving Vitor Belfort a title shot.
Yes, apparently, that was the reason why Henderson left the UFC. After beating Michael Bisping to a bloody pulp in UFC 100, Henderson proved he is still one of the best fighters in the welterweight division. And yet, the UFC gave Vitor Belfort a title fight with welterweight champion Anderson Silva. That proved to be too much for Henderson’s ego to bear.
”Honestly, even if they had given the Silva fight to Nate Marquardt I would have been OK with that, because he’s pretty much in the same boat as I am,” Henderson said in an interview. ”But to give it to Vitor Belfort, a guy who hadn’t fought at that weight? And a guy I’d beaten?”
”I felt like there could have been a lot more respect for what I’d done,” he said. ”I just felt like they didn’t really care one way or the other whether I was there. I felt like they could have taken care of me a little better, but I have no hard feelings.”
As for his new bosses? Henderson is thrilled that somebody is still willing to take him in and give him the opportunity to salvage what’s left of his career.
”I’m very happy to be a part of Strikeforce and their partnership with CBS and Showtime,” Henderson said.
”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. I am grateful to (Strikeforce Founder and CEO) Scott Coker for the opportunity to help make this happen and for treating me with the utmost respect throughout our negotiations.”
”I’d also like to thank Dana (White) and the UFC for the opportunities they provided me and I wish them ongoing success. I’ll continue to watch their events and I hope they’ll tune in to my fights in Strikeforce. After all, I’m a true fan of our fantastic sport and would love only to see MMA continue to grow.”
Randy ”The Natural” Couture is scheduled to take on Mark ”The Hammer” Coleman at UFC 109: Relentless. Who do you think will win this match between two UFC Hall of Famers? Only one way to find out.
Can Randy Couture beat Mark Coleman at UFC 109: Relentless? SPORTSBETTING.com has the odds.
Randy ”The Natural” Couture -450
Mark ”The Hammer” Coleman +325
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