“CBS would be out of their mind to put that rinky-dink [Strikeforce] . . . on the air again . . . and without that backing, [promoters] won’t have the money to pay [Emelianenko].

The guy just got his face smashed in by Brett Rogers. Do you know what Brock or [UFC heavyweights] Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez would do to Brett Rogers? It’s time to bring this guy [Fedor] in, to see Brock Lesnar smash his head.”

Despite White’s disappointment in the card, “Fedor vs. Rogers” peaked with nearly 5.5 million viewers and both Strikeforce and CBS have gone on the record to say they’re satisfied and encouraged by the figures.

According to the report, a source close to the situation confirmed Henderson had signed with Strikeforce and White echoed the news, though Strikeforce’s Scott Coker denied a deal is done.

“I guarantee you 1,000 percent that Dan Henderson is signed by Strikeforce,” said White. “Dan and I have been friends and we will continue to be friends, but it just didn’t work out and he went to Strikeforce.”

Coker says Henderson’s management informed him that he had declined the UFC’s offer and was ready to work on a deal with Strikeforce, but Coker but negotiations on hold temporarily due to his schedule for this weekend’s Strikeforce Challengers 4 and “Fedor vs. Rogers” events.

Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for the latest UFC news and Strikeforce news.

“We’re at a stalemate right now. The money that [Henderson] is asking for would make him by far the highest-paid guy in the UFC.

You know what’s [expletive] hilarious? I went to dinner last night, and [Henderson's] lawyer and (Strikeforce CEO) Scott Coker are sitting at dinner together last night. I said, ‘What are the [expletive] odds that out of every restaurant in L.A., the one that I go to, these guys are here?

The negotiations are done. I made [Henderson] an offer, and I guarantee you the offer that I made him, Strikeforce can’t pay.

I like Dan. We’re totally cool. You’ll never hear me say a bad thing about Dan Henderson, other than he’s ugly, and that’s just the truth.”

Henderson’s manager, Aaron Crecy, responded to White’s claims with Sherdog:

“Contracts are confidential, so that statement’s impossible to prove or disprove. However, we have done our due diligence. We certainly don’t believe that to be the case. Dan understands and we have a certain belief on where he stands in the hierarchy. Certainly there are champions and former UFC champions that deserve to be paid more than Dan.

The only reason we spoke with Strikeforce, if I’m not mistaken, was because Dana suggested we do so, at a time when he said the UFC wasn’t prepared to pay Dan what he’s asking, and that’s fine.

Right now (Dan’s) just trying to gather information, and that’s his right to do as someone who has no obligation to any particular organization. After negotiating exclusively with the UFC for the last few months, he’s exploring what options there are.

Our position has never been to argue in the media. We understand where the economy is. The last thing Dan wants to do is complain about money to fans. Ultimately, Dan does have a good relationship with and a great deal of respect for (UFC owners) Dana, Lorenzo (Fertitta), and Frank (Fertitta). He has nothing negative to say about them. Nothing’s done until a contract’s signed. Period.”

For more Dan Henderson news check out MMAFrenzy.com’s Dan Henderson tag.

Pictured: Dan Henderson