Benson Henderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Benson Henderson |
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Henderson in 2008
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| Born | November 16, 1983 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
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| Nickname(s) | Smooth | |||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Lightweight (2006–2015, 2016–2023) Welterweight (2015–2016, 2020) |
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| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Southpaw | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Glendale, Arizona, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Team | The MMA Lab | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt in Taekwondo Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Crouch |
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| Wrestling | NAIA Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2006–2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| University | Dana College | |||||||||||||||||||
| Notable school(s) | Decatur High School | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Benson Henderson (born November 16, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Lightweight division for Bellator MMA. He was a champion in both the UFC and WEC. Many consider him one of the best lightweight MMA fighters ever. He holds a record for the second-most UFC lightweight title defenses.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Benson Henderson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His mother is Korean, and his father is African American. He grew up in Federal Way, Washington. When Benson was about 9 years old, his mother wanted him and his older brother, Julius, to learn Tae Kwon Do. This was to connect with their Korean heritage. Both Benson and his brother earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do.
He went to Decatur High School. There, he joined the wrestling team. After high school, he attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He graduated in 2006 with two degrees. While at Dana College, he was a successful wrestler. He was named an NAIA All-American twice.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Henderson started his professional fighting career in 2006. He won his first fight. After a small setback with a loss, he won four fights in a row. He then faced a tough opponent, Diego Saraiva. Henderson showed his skill and won the fight by decision. This was his seventh professional win.
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)
Henderson joined World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2009. He won his first fight against Anthony Njokuani. He won again against Shane Roller by TKO.
Becoming a WEC Champion
Henderson got a chance to fight for the Interim WEC Lightweight Championship. This happened because the champion, Jamie Varner, was injured. Henderson fought Donald Cerrone in October 2009. It was an exciting fight, and Henderson won by decision. Both fighters earned a bonus for "Fight of the Night." This fight was also named "2009 Fight of the Year" by Sherdog.com.
Henderson then fought Jamie Varner to become the undisputed WEC Lightweight Champion. This fight was in January 2010. Henderson won by submission in the third round. He defended his title against Donald Cerrone in a rematch. He won by submission in the first round. This earned him a "Submission of the Night" bonus. Henderson lost his title to Anthony Pettis in December 2010.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
In 2010, WEC joined with the UFC. All WEC fighters, including Henderson, moved to the UFC.
Henderson made his UFC debut in April 2011. He won his first UFC fight against Mark Bocek. He then faced Jim Miller in August 2011. Henderson controlled the fight and won by decision. This ended Miller's long winning streak.
Henderson fought Clay Guida in November 2011. He won by decision in an exciting fight. This win made him the top contender for the UFC Lightweight title.
UFC Lightweight Champion
Henderson fought Frankie Edgar for the UFC Lightweight Championship in February 2012. Henderson won by decision and became the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Both fighters received "Fight of the Night" honors.
He had a rematch with Edgar in August 2012. Henderson won again by a close decision. He defended his title against Nate Diaz in December 2012. Henderson used his strong kicks and wrestling to win by decision.
In April 2013, Henderson faced Gilbert Melendez. He won by a close decision. With this win, Henderson tied the record for the most title defenses as a lightweight champion.
Losing the Title and Later Fights
Henderson lost his UFC Lightweight Championship to Anthony Pettis in August 2013. Pettis won by submission in the first round. This was the second time Pettis had defeated Henderson for a championship.
After losing his title, Henderson continued to fight. He won against Josh Thomson in January 2014. He also won against Rustam Khabilov in June 2014 by submission. This earned him a "Performance of the Night" bonus. Henderson then lost to Rafael dos Anjos by knockout in August 2014. He also lost a close fight to Donald Cerrone in January 2015.
Changing Weight Classes
In February 2015, Henderson moved up to the welterweight division. He fought Brandon Thatch and won by submission in the fourth round. He later fought Jorge Masvidal in November 2015 and won by a close decision.
Bellator MMA
In February 2016, Henderson signed with Bellator MMA. In his first Bellator fight, he challenged Andrey Koreshkov for the Bellator Welterweight Championship. Henderson lost the fight by decision.
Lightweight Title Fights
Henderson returned to the lightweight division for his second Bellator fight. He faced Patrício Pitbull in August 2016. Henderson won by TKO when Pitbull suffered a leg injury. This win earned Henderson a shot at the Bellator Lightweight Championship.
He challenged Michael Chandler for the Bellator Lightweight Championship in November 2016. It was a very close fight, but Henderson lost by a split decision.
Later Bellator Fights
After his title shot, Henderson continued to fight in Bellator. He won against Roger Huerta by submission in April 2018. He also defeated Saad Awad by decision in October 2018. In November 2018, Henderson signed a new contract with Bellator.
He won against Adam Piccolotti in April 2019 and Myles Jury in September 2019. Henderson had a rematch with Michael Chandler in August 2020, but he lost by knockout. He then moved back to welterweight and lost to Jason Jackson.
Henderson faced Brent Primus in October 2021 and lost. However, he ended a losing streak by winning against Islam Mamedov in January 2022. In March 2022, Henderson signed another contract with Bellator. He won against Peter Queally in September 2022.
Lightweight Grand Prix and Retirement
In March 2023, Henderson joined the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. He fought the champion, Usman Nurmagomedov. Henderson lost by submission in the first round. After this fight, he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Global Fight League
In December 2024, it was announced that Henderson signed with the Global Fight League.
Professional Grappling Career
Benson Henderson also competed in professional grappling. In December 2021, he won a grappling match against fellow MMA fighter Ben Saunders. In June 2022, he faced Demian Maia and lost by decision. Henderson also competed in the ADCC Arizona Open in August 2023. He lost a grappling match to Neiman Gracie in October 2023.
Boxing Career
Stake Pro Tournament
In August 2024, it was announced that Henderson would make his professional boxing debut. He competed in a tournament in England. His first opponent was Chris Avila. Henderson won by decision and moved to the finals. In the final, he faced Idris Virgo and lost by decision.
Personal Life
Benson Henderson is a Christian and often talks about his faith. He has three sons and a daughter with his wife, Maria. Henderson proposed to his fiancée inside the Octagon after one of his UFC wins.
Championships and Accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC Lightweight Championship (One time; former)
- Three successful title defenses
- Tied (B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar and Khabib Nurmagomedov) for the second most consecutive Lightweight title defenses in UFC history (3)
- Unified the UFC Lightweight and Strikeforce Lightweight Championships
- Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Clay Guida, Frankie Edgar 1 and Brandon Thatch
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Rustam Khabilov
- UFC.com Awards
- 2011: Ranked #2 Import of the Year, Ranked #5 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #3 Fight of the Year vs. Clay Guida
- 2012: Fighter of the Year & Ranked #4 Fight of the Year vs. Frankie Edgar 1
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Lightweight Championship (One time; former)
- One successful title defense
- Interim WEC Lightweight Championship (One time; former)
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis
- Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Donald Cerrone
- ESPN
- 2012 Fighter of the Year
- 2012 Fight of the Year vs. Frankie Edgar at UFC 144
- 2015 Best Fight of the Half-Year vs. Brandon Thatch
- Inside MMA
- 2012 Fighter of the Year Bazzie Award
- MMAWeekly.com
- 2012 Fighter of the Year
- FightMatrix.com
- 2012 Fighter of the Year
- MMAFighting.com
- 2010 Fight of the Year vs. Anthony Pettis on December 16
- 2009 Fight of the Year vs. Donald Cerrone on October 10
- USA Today
- 2010 Fight of the Year vs. Anthony Pettis on December 16
- Sports Illustrated
- 2009 Fight of the Year vs. Donald Cerrone on October 10
- Sherdog
- 2012 Fighter of the Year
- 2009 Fight of the Year vs. Donald Cerrone on October 10
Submission grappling
- International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
- 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Brown Belt Bronze Medalist
- 2014 World Jiu Jitsu No-Gi Championship Black Belt Bronze Medalist
- Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
- AZSBJJF MVP of the Year (2010)
- Arizona State Championship Brown Belt Middleweight Gold Medalist (Two times)
- Arizona State Championship Purple Belt Middleweight Gold Medalist (Two times)
- Arizona State Championship Openweight Gold Medalist (Three times)
Amateur wrestling
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
- NAIA All-American (2005, 2006)
- Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
- WIAA 4A High School State Championship Runner-up (2001)
- WIAA 4A All-State (2001)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 42 matches | 30 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 3 |
| By decision | 16 | 7 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 30–12 | Usman Nurmagomedov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 292 | March 10, 2023 | 1 | 2:37 | San Jose, California, United States | Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. For the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 30–11 | Peter Queally | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 285 | September 23, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | Henderson was deducted one point in round 2 due to a groin strike. |
| Win | 29–11 | Islam Mamedov | Decision (split) | Bellator 273 | January 29, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 28–11 | Brent Primus | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 268 | October 16, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 28–10 | Jason Jackson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 253 | November 19, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Loss | 28–9 | Michael Chandler | KO (punches) | Bellator 243 | August 7, 2020 | 1 | 2:09 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 28–8 | Myles Jury | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 227 | September 27, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Win | 27–8 | Adam Piccolotti | Decision (split) | Bellator 220 | April 27, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–8 | Saad Awad | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 208 | October 13, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Win | 25–8 | Roger Huerta | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 196 | April 6, 2018 | 2 | 0:49 | Budapest, Hungary | |
| Loss | 24–8 | Patricky Pitbull | Decision (split) | Bellator 183 | September 23, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 24–7 | Michael Chandler | Decision (split) | Bellator 165 | November 19, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | For the Bellator Lightweight World Championship. |
| Win | 24–6 | Patrício Pitbull | TKO (leg injury) | Bellator 160 | August 26, 2016 | 2 | 2:26 | Anaheim, California, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 23–6 | Andrey Koreshkov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 153 | April 22, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | For the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 23–5 | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Masvidal | November 28, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Win | 22–5 | Brandon Thatch | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch | February 14, 2015 | 4 | 3:58 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Welterweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–5 | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver | January 18, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Loss | 21–4 | Rafael dos Anjos | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos | August 23, 2014 | 1 | 2:31 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 21–3 | Rustam Khabilov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | June 7, 2014 | 4 | 1:16 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–3 | Josh Thomson | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson | January 25, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 19–3 | Anthony Pettis | Submission (armbar) | UFC 164 | August 31, 2013 | 1 | 4:31 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Lost the UFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–2 | Gilbert Melendez | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez | April 20, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Defended the UFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–2 | Nate Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz | December 8, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | Defended the UFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–2 | Frankie Edgar | Decision (split) | UFC 150 | August 11, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Defended the UFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–2 | Frankie Edgar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 144 | February 26, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Won the UFC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 15–2 | Clay Guida | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos | November 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | UFC Lightweight title eliminator. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 14–2 | Jim Miller | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle | August 14, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Mark Bocek | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 129 | April 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 12–2 | Anthony Pettis | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 53 | December 16, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Lost the WEC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 12–1 | Donald Cerrone | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 48 | April 24, 2010 | 1 | 1:57 | Sacramento, California, United States | Defended the WEC Lightweight Championship. Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 11–1 | Jamie Varner | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 46 | January 10, 2010 | 3 | 2:41 | Sacramento, California, United States | Won and unified the WEC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–1 | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 43 | October 10, 2009 | 5 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Won the interim WEC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 9–1 | Shane Roller | TKO (punches) | WEC 40 | April 5, 2009 | 1 | 1:41 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Anthony Njokuani | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 38 | January 25, 2009 | 2 | 0:42 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Diego Saraiva | Decision (unanimous) | Evolution MMA | October 4, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Ricardo Tirloni | Submission (guillotine choke) | MFC 17: Hostile Takeover | July 25, 2008 | 2 | 3:49 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 5–1 | Mike Maestas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MFC 16: Anger Management | May 9, 2008 | 3 | 4:11 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 4–1 | Bryan Corley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Victory FC 21: Infamous | December 7, 2007 | 1 | 2:36 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | David Dagloria | TKO (submission to punches) | Ultimate Combat Experience: Round 26: Episode 12 | June 23, 2007 | 1 | 1:45 | Ogden, Utah, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Rocky Johnson | Technical Submission (anaconda choke) | Battlequest 5: Avalanche | March 31, 2007 | 1 | 0:46 | Vail, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Allen Williams | TKO (punches) | Victory FC 18: Hitmen | February 16, 2007 | 1 | 1:37 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dan Gregary | TKO (submission to punches) | Midwest Championship Fighting: Genesis | November 18, 2006 | 1 | 4:21 | North Platte, Nebraska, United States |
Karate Combat record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Anthony Pettis | Decision (unanimous) | Karate Combat 43 | December 15, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Boxing record
| 2 fights | 1 win | 1 loss |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Idris Virgo | UD | 5 | Sep 14, 2024 | Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne, England | MF–Professional bout; Stake pro tournament final |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Chris Avila | UD | 5 | MF–Professional bout; Stake pro tournament semifinal |
Pay-per-view Bouts
| No. | Event | Fight | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 144 | Edgar vs. Henderson | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan | 375,000 |
| 2. | UFC 150 | Henderson vs. Edgar 2 | Pepsi Center | Denver, Colorado | 190,000 |
| 3. | UFC 164 | Henderson vs. Pettis 2 | BMO Harris Bradley Center | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 270,000 |
See also
In Spanish: Benson Henderson para niños
- List of male mixed martial artists
