Henderson: I had to swallow my pride, take pay cut
Dan Henderson is one of MMA’s biggest stars, but coming off a three fight losing streak wasn’t in the best negotiating position when his contract came up for renewal.
Dan Henderson is one of MMA’s biggest stars, but coming off a three fight losing streak wasn’t in the best negotiating position when his contract came up for renewal:
Getting Full Market Value
I think for the up and coming guys that aren’t going to be paid a whole lot anyway, and are trying to make it into the market, it doesn’t affect them as bad as it does the top guys, now that Strikeforce is gone. Basically, there’s nowhere else to go.
Bellator & WSOF
I know that Bellator is trying to make it, but they’re spending a lot more money than they’re bringing in. I’m not really sure about the World Series. I do think they’re doing things a little more economically. There’s really no other companies out there that are able to pay what the UFC is paying their top guys. Basically, you’ve got to take what you get sometimes. On the flip side of that, the UFC has built their organization big enough to be able to pay the top guys pretty decent, so you can’t really complain too much about them.
Negotiations
My agent usually talks with their attorneys. From there, they run it by Dana and Lorenzo, and occasionally, they get on a call with all of them together-Dana, Lorenzo and the attorneys.
You know, I kind of had to swallow my pride a little bit and take a pay cut. They are giving me a chance to get back where I was if I get some wins on the books, though. It could be worse, but it could be better, as well.