Benson Henderson

Last updated
Benson Henderson
Benhendersonfighter.jpg
Henderson in 2008
Born (1983-11-16) November 16, 1983 (age 41)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
NicknameSmooth
Residence Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division Lightweight (2006–2015, 2016–2023)
Welterweight (2015–2016, 2020)
Reach71 in (180 cm) [1] [2]
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
Team The MMA Lab
RankBlack belt in Taekwondo [3]
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Crouch [4]
Wrestling NAIA Wrestling [3]
Years active2006–2023
Mixed martial arts record
Total42
Wins30
By knockout5
By submission9
By decision16
Losses12
By knockout2
By submission3
By decision7
University Dana College
Notable school(s) Decatur High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Men's Grappling
World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2014 Long Beach79.5 kg (Black)
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2011 Long Beach76 kg (Brown)

Benson Henderson (born November 16, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the Lightweight division for Bellator MMA. He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion. He is considered one of the greatest lightweight MMA fighters of all time and is tied with BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar, Islam Makhachev, and Khabib Nurmagomedov for most UFC lightweight title defenses. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Early life

Henderson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to a Korean mother and an African American father. [8] Benson has an older brother, Julius, who was born in Korea. [9] He was raised in Federal Way, Washington. When Henderson was approximately 9 years old, his mother, Song, insisted that he take Tae Kwon Do lessons with his brother. "She's Korean, I'm half-Korean, and it's the traditional Korean martial art, so she wanted us to do that to get a little bit of the culture and tradition," he says. Both Benson and his brother attained black belts in Tae Kwon Do.

He attended Decatur High School from 1998 to 2001. Benson became a part of the high school's wrestling team. After graduating from high school, he attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and graduated in 2006 with a double major in criminal justice and sociology. While attending Dana College, Henderson was on the wrestling team, and was twice named an NAIA All-American. [3]

I don't drink—I've never had a sip of alcohol. I've never had a puff of a cigarette or weed or anything like that. Growing up in Tacoma, that wasn't a very popular choice. I made a decision, and whenever it came up, I passed the dutchie to the left hand side ... People have seen that. They see I don't do the club scene. By people seeing that, that affects them in a bigger way than me talking about it. [10]

Mixed martial arts career

Henderson turned professional in 2006, winning his first match against Dan Gregary. He lost his third fight to Rocky Johnson via technical submission. However, this defeat was a minor setback. He rebounded with four straight wins before facing his toughest fight yet, against a UFC veteran, Diego Saraiva. Henderson came prepared as he dominated Saraiva for three rounds, winning a unanimous decision and his 7th professional win.

World Extreme Cagefighting

WEC Lightweight Championship

Three months later, Henderson made his World Extreme Cagefighting debut on January 25, 2009, at WEC 38 against Anthony Njokuani. [11] Henderson defeated Njokuani with a guillotine choke early in round two. [12]

Henderson faced Shane Roller on April 5, 2009, at WEC 40. [13] Henderson won the bout via first-round TKO. [14]

Interim WEC Lightweight Championship

Henderson was given an opportunity to fight for the Interim WEC Lightweight Championship against Donald Cerrone when lightweight champion Jamie Varner was unable to defend his title due to an injury. The fight took place on October 10, 2009, at WEC 43. [15] Henderson won an exciting back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision. Both Henderson and Cerrone were awarded with an additional purse of $20,000 for Fight of the Night. [16] The bout was also awarded 2009 Fight of the Year for all of MMA by Sherdog.com [17]

Undisputed WEC Lightweight Championship

Henderson faced Jamie Varner to unify the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 46 on January 10, 2010. [18] After being outboxed and outwrestled in the first two rounds, Henderson came back and caught Varner in a standing guillotine choke ending the fight at 2:41 of the third round. [19]

Henderson had his first title defense in a rematch with Donald Cerrone on April 24, 2010, at WEC 48. [20] defeating Cerrone via guillotine choke in the first round. [21] The win earned him a Submission of the Night bonus award. [22]

Henderson faced Anthony Pettis on December 16, 2010, at WEC 53. [23] Henderson lost his title by unanimous decision. [24] The fight won Fight of the Night honors. [25]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. [26]

Henderson made his UFC debut at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011, where he faced Mark Bocek. [27] Henderson won the fight via unanimous decision. [28]

Henderson next faced Jim Miller on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5. [29] Henderson dominated the streaking Miller throughout the fight, utilizing a stiff jab, great transitions, and vicious ground and pound throughout the match to snap Miller's 7 fight win streak, the third longest in the UFC at the time. Despite being threatened with multiple deep submission attempts, Henderson escaped each attempt and advanced position with increasingly brutal punches and elbows. He earned a unanimous decision (30-27, 29–28, 30–26). [30]

Henderson faced Clay Guida on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox 1. [31] He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds in an action packed war that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors. [32] [33] With the win, he became the #1 contender for the UFC Lightweight title.

UFC Lightweight Championship

Henderson faced Frankie Edgar on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144. [34] Henderson defeated Edgar via unanimous decision to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion. [35] Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors for their performance. [36]

A rematch with Edgar took place on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150. [37] In a bout that was very tightly contested, Henderson defeated Edgar again, this time via split decision. [38]

Henderson faced Nate Diaz on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. [39] Henderson punished Diaz with kicks, superior wrestling and ground and pound, Henderson knocked Diaz down twice with punches and was able to take his back on numerous occasions earning a unanimous decision victory. [40]

Henderson faced the final Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, and promotional newcomer Gilbert Melendez on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7. [41] Henderson won the fight by a closely contested split decision. [42] After 3 consecutive wins to retain the title, Henderson tied B.J. Penn with the highest number of title defenses as a lightweight.

Title loss and post title return

Henderson was expected to face T. J. Grant on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164. [43] However, Grant was forced out of the bout with an injury, setting up a rematch with Anthony Pettis who defeated Henderson last time they fought via unanimous decision at the final WEC event, WEC 53. [44] Pettis defeated Henderson via submission (armbar) in the first round. [45] This is the second time Henderson lost his championship belt and title to Pettis.

In his first post-title loss fight, Henderson faced Josh Thomson on January 25, 2014, in the main event at UFC on Fox 10. [46] Henderson defeated Thomson via split decision. He nearly became the first man to submit Thomson when he caught Thomson in a standing arm-triangle choke. [47] Many media outlets and observers were split on who they thought should have been declared the winner. [48] [49] [50] Thomson had one more takedown (5 to 4) and was able to secure Henderson's back on multiple occasions, while Henderson was able to significantly outstrike Thomson (114 to 33) over the duration of the bout and was credited with the bout's only submission attempt. [51]

Henderson faced Rustam Khabilov on June 7, 2014, in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov. [52] He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round. The win also earned Henderson his first Performance of the Night bonus award. [53]

Henderson headlined UFC Fight Night 49 against Rafael dos Anjos on August 23, 2014. [54] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [55] [56]

Henderson was scheduled to fight Eddie Alvarez on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59. [57] However, Alvarez pulled out of the fight in early January due to illness, and was replaced by Donald Cerrone in a rematch. [58] Henderson lost the fight via a controversial unanimous decision. [59] 12 of 14 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Henderson. [60]

Switching weight classes

Henderson decided to make the move up to welterweight after a spot became available at UFC Fight Night 60 with Brandon Thatch on February 14, 2015, in the event headliner at UFC Fight Night 60, where he replaced an injured Stephen Thompson. [61] Henderson won the back and forth fight via submission in the fourth round.

A bout with Michael Johnson was initially linked as the event headliner for The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale on July 12, 2015. [62] Although never officially announced by the UFC, the bout between Henderson and Johnson will not take place at this event. [63] Subsequently, Henderson revealed his intentions to return, at least temporarily, to the welterweight division and targeted a return date of November 2015 and a possible appearance on the UFC's inaugural event in Seoul. [64]

Henderson was expected to face Thiago Alves on November 28, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79. [65] However, on November 14, 2015, Alves pulled out the bout citing injury and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal. [66] Henderson won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. [67]

Bellator MMA

On February 1, 2016, Henderson announced that he had signed with Bellator MMA. [68] [69] In his debut, he faced Andrey Koreshkov on April 22, 2016, at Bellator 153 for the Bellator Welterweight Championship. [70] Henderson lost the fight by unanimous decision. [71]

Title contention and title shot

For his second fight with the promotion, Henderson made his return to the lightweight division to fight Patrício Pitbull in the main event at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. [72] The bout ended in anticlimactic fashion as Pitbull stopped himself early in round two to declare he had sustained a leg injury. As a result, Henderson was awarded a TKO victory due to injury and earned a title shot against Michael Chandler. [73] It was revealed post-fight that Freire had broken his shin in the first round after Henderson checked a low kick with his knee.

On August 31, 2016, it was announced that Henderson would challenge Michael Chandler for the Bellator Lightweight Championship on November 19, 2016, at Bellator 165. [74] Henderson lost the back-and-forth bout via split decision. [75]

Post-title shot reign

Henderson faced Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017. [76] He lost the fight via split decision. [77]

Henderson faced returning Bellator veteran Roger Huerta in the main event at Bellator 196 on April 6, 2018. [78] He won the fight via submission in the second round. [79]

Henderson faced Saad Awad at Bellator 208 on October 13, 2018. [80] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [81]

In November 2018, Bellator officials revealed that Henderson had signed a new exclusive, long-term contract with Bellator. [82]

Henderson next faced Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 220 on April 27, 2019. [83] He won the fight via split decision. [84] 8 out of 9 media scores gave it to Piccolotti. [85]

Henderson faced Bellator newcomer Myles Jury in the headliner of Bellator 227 on September 27, 2019. [86] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [87]

On October 25, 2019, it was announced that Henderson would next rematch Michael Chandler at Bellator & Rizin: Japan on December 29, 2019. [88] However, Henderson was forced to withdraw from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Sidney Outlaw. [89] The rematch was rescheduled to take place at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020. [90] However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [91] The rematch eventually took place on August 7, 2020, at Bellator 243. [92] Henderson lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [93]

Henderson then moved up to Welterweight to face Jason Jackson on November 28, 2020, at Bellator 253. Jackson controlled a majority of the fight, winning via unanimous decision in an upset victory. [94] [95]

Henderson faced Brent Primus on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268. [96] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [97]

Henderson faced Islam Mamedov on January 29, 2022, at Bellator 273. [98] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision, ending a three-fight losing streak in what was his last fight on his prevailing contract. [99] [100]

On March 23, 2022, it was announced that Henderson had signed a new multi-fight contract with Bellator. [101]

Henderson faced Peter Queally on September 23, 2022, at Bellator 285. [102] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [103]

Lightweight Grand Prix

Being announced as one of the participants of the $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix, in the quarterfinals, Henderson faced reigning champion Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292. [104] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, and subsequently announced his retirement during the post-fight interview. [105]

Global Fight League

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Henderson was signed by Global Fight League. [106]

Professional grappling career

Henderson competed against fellow MMA veteran Ben Saunders in a superfight at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 1 on December 16, 2021, and won the match by unanimous decision. [107] He then faced Demian Maia in the main event of Polaris 20 on June 25, 2022, [108] losing the match by unanimous decision. [109]

Henderson entered the ADCC Arizona Open on August 5, 2023, and went 3–1 in the 83 kg division. [110]

Henderson competed in a welterweight no gi match against Neiman Gracie as the main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023. [111] He lost the match by submission. [112]

Boxing career

Stake Pro Tournament

On August 20, 2024 it was announced that Henderson would make his professional boxing debut in a tournament hosted by Stake on MF & DAZN: X Series 18 – Stake Pro Tournament Card on September 14 at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His first opponent in the semifinals was American mixed martial artist Chris Avila with English professional boxer Idris Virgo vs English influencer Fes Batista in the other bracket. [113] Henderson defeated Avila by unanimous decision and advanced to the finals, where he faced Idris Virgo in the co-main event. [114] Henderson was defeated by Virgo by unanimous decision. [114]

Personal life

Henderson is a Christian and often refers to his faith in post-fight interviews. [115] He is also a teetotaler, having never consumed alcohol or drugs in his life. [116]

Henderson has three sons and a daughter with his wife, Maria. [117] Henderson proposed to his fiancée in the Octagon after his win over Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7. [118]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Submission grappling

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
42 matches30 wins12 losses
By knockout52
By submission93
By decision167
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss30–12 Usman Nurmagomedov Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 292 March 10, 202312:37 San Jose, California, United States Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. For the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win30–11 Peter Queally Decision (unanimous) Bellator 285 September 23, 202255:00 Dublin, IrelandHenderson was deducted one point in round 2 due to a groin strike.
Win29–11Islam MamedovDecision (split) Bellator 273 January 29, 202235:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss28–11 Brent Primus Decision (unanimous) Bellator 268 October 16, 202135:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss28–10 Jason Jackson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 253 November 19, 202035:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesWelterweight bout.
Loss28–9 Michael Chandler KO (punches) Bellator 243 August 7, 202012:09 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win28–8 Myles Jury Decision (unanimous) Bellator 227 September 27, 201935:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win27–8 Adam Piccolotti Decision (split) Bellator 220 April 27, 201935:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win26–8 Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 208 October 13, 201835:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win25–8 Roger Huerta Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 196 April 6, 201820:49 Budapest, Hungary
Loss24–8 Patricky Pitbull Decision (split) Bellator 183 September 23, 201735:00 San Jose, California, United States
Loss24–7 Michael Chandler Decision (split) Bellator 165 November 19, 201655:00 San Jose, California, United StatesFor the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win24–6 Patrício Pitbull TKO (leg injury) Bellator 160 August 26, 201622:26 Anaheim, California, United StatesReturn to Lightweight.
Loss23–6 Andrey Koreshkov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 153 April 22, 201655:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesFor the Bellator Welterweight World Championship.
Win23–5 Jorge Masvidal Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Masvidal November 28, 201555:00 Seoul, South Korea
Win22–5 Brandon Thatch Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch February 14, 201543:58 Broomfield, Colorado, United StatesWelterweight debut. Fight of the Night.
Loss21–5 Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver January 18, 201535:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss21–4 Rafael dos Anjos KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos August 23, 201412:31 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win21–3 Rustam Khabilov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov June 7, 201441:16 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win20–3 Josh Thomson Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson January 25, 201455:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss19–3 Anthony Pettis Submission (armbar) UFC 164 August 31, 201314:31 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United StatesLost the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win19–2 Gilbert Melendez Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 201355:00 San Jose, California, United StatesDefended the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win18–2 Nate Diaz Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz December 8, 201255:00 Seattle, Washington, United StatesDefended the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win17–2 Frankie Edgar Decision (split) UFC 150 August 11, 201255:00 Denver, Colorado, United StatesDefended the UFC Lightweight Championship.
Win16–2 Frankie Edgar Decision (unanimous) UFC 144 February 26, 201255:00 Saitama, JapanWon the UFC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win15–2 Clay Guida Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos November 12, 201135:00 Anaheim, California, United States UFC Lightweight title eliminator. Fight of the Night.
Win14–2 Jim Miller Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle August 14, 201135:00 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win13–2 Mark Bocek Decision (unanimous) UFC 129 April 30, 201135:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss12–2 Anthony Pettis Decision (unanimous) WEC 53 December 16, 201055:00 Glendale, Arizona, United StatesLost the WEC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win12–1 Donald Cerrone Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 48 April 24, 201011:57 Sacramento, California, United StatesDefended the WEC Lightweight Championship. Submission of the Night.
Win11–1 Jamie Varner Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 46 January 10, 201032:41 Sacramento, California, United StatesWon and unified the WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win10–1 Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) WEC 43 October 10, 200955:00 San Antonio, Texas, United StatesWon the interim WEC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win9–1 Shane Roller TKO (punches) WEC 40 April 5, 200911:41 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win8–1 Anthony Njokuani Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 38 January 25, 200920:42 San Diego, California, United States
Win7–1Diego SaraivaDecision (unanimous)Evolution MMAOctober 4, 200835:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win6–1 Ricardo Tirloni Submission (guillotine choke) MFC 17: Hostile Takeover July 25, 200823:49 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win5–1Mike MaestasSubmission (rear-naked choke) MFC 16: Anger Management May 9, 200834:11 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win4–1Bryan CorleySubmission (rear-naked choke)Victory FC 21: InfamousDecember 7, 200712:36 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win3–1David DagloriaTKO (submission to punches)Ultimate Combat Experience: Round 26: Episode 12June 23, 200711:45 Ogden, Utah, United States
Loss2–1Rocky JohnsonTechnical Submission (anaconda choke)Battlequest 5: AvalancheMarch 31, 200710:46 Vail, Colorado, United StatesCatchweight (160 lbs) bout.
Win2–0Allen WilliamsTKO (punches)Victory FC 18: HitmenFebruary 16, 200711:37 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win1–0Dan GregaryTKO (submission to punches)Midwest Championship Fighting: GenesisNovember 18, 200614:21 North Platte, Nebraska, United States

Karate Combat record

Professional record breakdown
1 match0 wins1 loss
By decision01
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss0–1 Anthony Pettis Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 43December 15, 202333:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Boxing record

2 fights1 win1 loss
By decision11
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
2Loss1–1Idris VirgoUD5 Sep 14, 2024 Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne, EnglandMF-Professional bout
Stake pro tournament final
1Win1–0Chris AvilaUD5MF-Professional bout
Stake pro tournament semifinal

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightVenueCityPPV Buys
1. UFC 144 Edgar vs. Henderson Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 375,000 [138]
2. UFC 150 Henderson vs. Edgar 2 Pepsi Center Denver, Colorado 190,000 [139]
3. UFC 164 Henderson vs. Pettis 2 BMO Harris Bradley Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin 270,000 [140]

See also

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References

  1. "Benson Henderson ("Smooth") | MMA Fighter Page".
  2. "Benson Henderson". UFC.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
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Awards and achievements
New title 1st WEC Interim Lightweight Champion
October 10, 2009 - January 10, 2010
Vacant
Preceded by 6th WEC Lightweight Champion
January 10, 2010 - December 16, 2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by 5th UFC Lightweight Champion
February 26, 2012 – August 31, 2013
Succeeded by