Dana White says Benson Henderson took more money up front from Bellator

UFC president Dana White says losing former lightweight champion Benson Henderson came down to up-front money from Bellator trumping the UFC's incentive-laden deal.

Henderson signed with Bellator after a five-year career in the UFC, in which he carried a 11-3 record with the company.

"The truth is we made him an offer that would have paid him substantially more - like not even in the same ballpark - than he's getting now if he were to become world champion again, but he chose their deal, which offered more up front," White told MMA Junkie on Monday. "He's a former world champion who's ranked No. 15 now. We're looking for top-five guys, guys that are going from 15 to one, not the other way around.

"But I'm honestly happy for Benson. I'm not angry. Who knows? This could be the last contract he ever signs. He got the right deal for him. He's a great guy, and we wish him all the best."

Both sides have been gracious about the split, with Henderson thanking White and Lorenzo Fertita in his statement Monday.