On last contracted fight, Hendo wants UFC future

[Wild]

Before modern MMA free agency became an item of discussion, Dan Henderson had practiced it years ago. After UFC 100, Henderson's contract with the UFC has been completed, and after a brief period of negotiation with the UFC, chose to walk and eventually sign with Strikeforce.

While Henderson doesn't exactly find himself in an identical position today, it's still relatively unique. Ahead of his rematch with Lyoto Machida at UFC on FOX 19, Henderson is on the last fight of his current deal. The issue for Henderson is how much longer he really has left in fighting. By his own estimation, it's limited and ideally, he'd like to finish out his career in the UFC..

LINK: On last fight of his contract, Dan Henderson hoping to remain with the UFC

 

[BanMe]

Bellator would be good for him, and I doubt the UFC would put up much of a fight.

 

[KWingJitsu]

UFC hates Hendon because he outsmarted them on contract issues before it was cool to do.

But I'm pulling for Machida-San in this fight.

 

[sparkuri]

Bellator would be good for him, and I doubt the UFC would put up much of a fight.

I disagree, only with the UFC not putting up a fight, although that can be a vague interpretation.
It's fairly common knowledge that past Hendo/UFC negotiations have been abrasive, but I don't foresee the UFC brass trying to teach lessons in the current climate of fighters getting more respect in the negotiative arena.
Furthermore, I think the UFC is making less emotional, and more "financial/perception" based choices since the lawsuit came into fruition.
Hendo imo must be viewed by current and future fighters as a "UFC fighter", so when fighters consider contracts, it appears as if that respective situation was "won" by the UFC, implying the UFC as a company has wisdom long-term.
Obviously I don't agree with that notion whatsoever, but I see Dan Henderson's title being a valued one, and one worth fighting for.
I actually believe his situation is fairly good.