With the breaking news this Saturday that Zuffa had purchased the Strikeforce promotion, many fighters within the promotion are left wondering about their futures. UFC President Dana White has assured everyone that it will be “business as usual” but it certainly has to weigh heavily on the minds of many.
This deal certainly opens the doors for many fighters to move between promotions, but again according to White, once current contracts have been completed.
One fighter with one fight left on his contract, is recently crowned Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson (27-8) who talked to MMAWeekly.com about the Zuffa deal and the possibility of fighting under the UFC banner again.
“It’s a little shocking. I had no idea, I know there were rumors 6 months ago, but I was pretty shocked. I don’t know what to feel about it, I don’t necessarily think, it might not be the best thing for the sport. But then again you’re going to start being able to see all these match-ups that everyone wants to see. Who knows. I had no plans of leaving, but I don’t know what this is going to do those plans, but I have one fight left on my deal and we’ll see what happens…I’ve never said anything bad about them. I always appreciated everything they’ve done for me and for the sport. It’s just I was paid more money to go elsewhere, and that’s what I did. Dana’s the type that needs to talk a little smack if he doesn’t get his way, but I’ve got no hard feelings about anything.”