EA Sports MMA

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After failing to reach terms for a new deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and recently signing with rival Strikeforce, Dan Henderson has also inked a deal with the UFC's rival videogame: "EA Sports MMA."

EA Sports officials announced that Henderson signed his contract while at Wednesday's Madden Bowl, an annual videogame competition for "Madden NFL" held on Super Bowl week. "EA Sports MMA," available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, is expected to be released in late summer 2010.

Henderson, a character in THQ's wildly successful "UFC 2009 Undisputed" videogame franchise, now heads to EA Sports' Strikeforce- and DREAM-friendly title. Henderson (25-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC), the first fighter simultaneously to hold two PRIDE belts, recently concluded his second stint in the UFC.

The former top UFC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight contender fulfilled the fight terms of his previous contract with a knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC 100. However, while UFC officials hinted at a likely title shot for the winner, Henderson was passed over in favor of a bout between Vitor Belfort and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Henderson then opened talks with Strikeforce and signed with the promotion in December. He's now expected to fight Strikeforce Middleweight Champ Jake Shields during the organization's April return to CBS airwaves.

Henderson, a collegiate wrestler at Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University, represented the U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team in 1992 and 1996 before turning pro in MMA in 1997. The UFC 17 heavyweight tournament winner then held the two PRIDE titles in 2005. He returned to the UFC in 2007 following the UFC's purchase and eventual disbanding of the Japanese-based organization.

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