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Money will dictate whether Hendo fights for UFC title

Dan Henderson wants Jon Jones © Getty Images

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Dan Henderson has confessed the possibility of a return to the UFC rests entirely on money as he prepares to enter into negotiations with Zuffa.

Henderson is undoubtedly the most marketable fighter currently not competing in the UFC after he recently beat Fedor Emelianenko via first-round TKO. As the reigning Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion, the potential is there for him to be thrown into a title unification bout with the winner of Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson - who fight at UFC 135.

Currently out of contract, Henderson has two clear options, both of which come under the Zuffa banner. Either he stays in Strikeforce to continue defending his crown, ensuring the company's 205lb belt doesn't become diluted, or he moves to the UFC where he can undoubtedly earn more money.

Henderson insists he is open to everything and would have no problems working with UFC president Dana White, with whom he left the UFC on less-than-ideal terms, but it is money that will dictate who he fights next.

"I'm ready to fight, and I think I'm a valuable asset to make some money with also, and they know that," Henderson told MMAWeekly Radio. "I'm not worried about what's going to happen. I'd like to try and fight in December. Take another month off or so and get back to training.

"It will probably come down to money, but it's coming from the same people, so it's a matter of where they're going to make the most money off of me as well, and to be able to pay what I'm getting paid, they need to be making money as well.

"I think the biggest fight they could promote is probably a title unification with whoever is the champ in the UFC."

Henderson, however, does concede that one fighter - Rashad Evans - would stand to lose out if he was leapfrogged in the queue for a title shot. Rashad is the recognized No. 1 contender, but has already missed out on a title shot at Jones due to an injury to the champion, and it would be tough for the UFC to make him wait even longer.

"I think for them to utilize the best potential to make money for everybody, I think they'd have to have Rashad wait it out one more fight," acknowledged Henderson. "I'm not in a huge hurry. Just want to make sure the deal's right."

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