It’s official: Dan Henderson signs with Strikeforce

Sherdog is reporting that former PRIDE champion Dan Henderson is now a former UFC fighter. Henderson signed a four-fight, 16-month deal with Strikeforce on Saturday and could make his debut in the promotion as early as April, possibly against middleweight champion Jake Shields or light heavyweight champ Gegard Mousasi. There’s also talk that he could go up to heavyweight to face Fedor Emelianenko.

The two-time Olympic wrestler had been negotiating with the UFC since his first-round knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100. He earned $350,000 for the win, which included a $100,000 performance bonus from the promotion, but he was reportedly asking for a significant pay bump in his new contract that the UFC was unwilling to meet. Sherdog also reports that on Friday Henderson was offered a bout with Nate Marquardt at UFC 109 in the hopes of enticing him to stay with the promotion.

I’ve said all along that signing Henderson would be a smart move for Strikeforce as it would further bolster their stable of fighters and give the promotion even greater credibility. I also think the UFC is crazy to let him go as he’s a hugely popular marquee name, something the UFC needs as it tries to bounce back from the injuries and illnesses that have wreaked havoc with the roster of late.