Strikeforce Columbus Results: Will Dan Henderson Ever Re-Sign With the UFC?

At Strikeforce: Columbus, Dan Henderson became Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion by defeating Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.

Henderson is now a three-time champion, having held the PRIDE Welterweight and Middleweight Championships simultaneously.

Before leaving the UFC, Henderson had chances to win two more championships in title-merging fights with Anderson Silva and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Henderson lost both of those fights, but still exited the organization as one of the top middleweight contenders.

Now that Henderson has proven that he can still compete at a high level, even after hitting 40 years old, will he ever re-sign with the UFC?

In December, Henderson signed a four-fight deal with Strikeforce. After losing to Jake Shields in his debut with the organization and defeating Renato "Babalu" Sobral in his last fight, Henderson's fight with Cavalcante was his third under the Strikeforce banner.

If Henderson remains champion after his next fight, he would still be unable to sign with another organization until relinquishing his title.

Even if he finished his deal with Strikeforce and lost his belt by the end of this year, Henderson would likely be seen as a 41-year-old fighter who couldn't hold onto a championship in a perceived weaker organization.

For this reason, Henderson would likely not be looked at as a legitimate threat to contend for a title in the UFC.

If the UFC was content to let Henderson walk when he was still being looked at as an elite fighter, it seems extremely unlikely that Dana White would want to bring him back when the public believes him to be washed up.

Even if the UFC did want Henderson back, would Henderson want to return to the UFC?

Henderson was bitter upon his departure from the UFC, but seems happy with his situation in Strikeforce. A possible fight against Fedor Emelianenko has even sparked the interest of Henderson.

At this point in his career, Henderson's interests are most likely in defending his belt and fighting other legends of the sport.

Since Henderson has already competed against many of the great fighters in the UFC, it would make a lot of sense for him to consider retirement upon the conclusion of his current reign as Strikeforce champion.

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Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @BR_Sean_Smith