The UFC’s first event in South Korea ended in a rather odd fashion last Saturday. Following his split decision win over Jorge Masvidal, Benson Henderson gave an interesting post-fight interview with Kenny Florian where he took his gloves off in the middle of the Octagon, stared directly into the camera and asked, “Was that impressive enough?” It was an odd moment and it was unclear as to who or what Henderson was referring to, but his comments could be linked to the reports that came out after the fight that the former champion was considering testing free agency. “When I retire, it will be retiring in the UFC – I know that for sure,” Henderson said. “But I’m going to test the market, yes.”
Benson Henderson Could be a Trailblazer for UFC Fighters
Henderson certainly wouldn’t be the first fighter still in his prime that has considered finding greener pastures outside the UFC. Not long ago, the former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, tested the free agency waters, and was very close to leaving the UFC and signing with Bellator. Melendez reportedly received an offer from Bellator, which the UFC had the opportunity to match. In the end, Melendez was lured back to the UFC for what could be considered a king’s ransom; Melendez’s new deal included a clause that guarantees that at least 75% of his fights will be on pay-per-view, residuals from those PPV’s, a coaching deal on the next Ultimate Fighter, and a title shot against then champion Anthony Pettis. Not bad for a guy that was just 1-1 in the UFC.
Henderson though, isn’t just 1-1 in the UFC. He’s 11-3. He’s a former world champion, a three-time Fight of the Night winner and is currently undefeated since moving up to the welterweight division. Meaning if Henderson truly is planning on testing the free agency market, or at least trying to leverage a nice deal out of it, he could be in for a pretty impressive payday.
And the offers are apparently already rolling in for Henderson. Mark Lee, the General Manager of South Korean MMA promotion, Road FC, said, “Road FC is aware he would like to test his upcoming free agency, and we’re interested in discussing a contract with Mr. Henderson for $200,000.” $200,000 would be a big step up in pay grade for Henderson, who was on a $48,000 to show and $48,000 to win deal in his last three fights against Rafeal Dos Anjos, Donald Cerrone, and Brandon Thatch, with an expected $15,000 from the Reebok sponsorship.
And several fellow MMA fighters have publicly agreed with Henderson’s decision to explore free agency. Josh Thompson, a one-time opponent of Henderson’s, agrees with his decision to test the market and encourages Henderson to see what he’s truly worth. “I’m not giving him advice,” Thomson said. “I’m giving all fighters advice. My advice to them is you have to treat this like you’re playing for the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers or you’re LeBron James going from Miami back to Cleveland. It’s a free market agency and one team wants you and one team wants to keep you. Go to the highest bidder. Whoever that is. Hence the free market.”
Former UFC turned Bellator fighter, Josh Koscheck also agrees. Tweeting out:
Free agent! The ONLY way fighters will make real money again in this sport. Fight your contracts out?? Smart move @BensonHenderson
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) November 28, 2015
If Henderson does indeed go to the highest bidder outside of the UFC, his free agency could be a trailblazing event for other UFC fighters who want to see what they’re worth on the free market, and could go a long way towards helping increase fighters pay. MMA could finally have an improved free agency market the way that the NFL or MLB does, and in the process could greatly increase what fighters get paid, and Henderson’s movement could be the first step towards achieving that.
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