Tag: Benson Henderson

Maria Henderson previews pro MMA debut at LFA 135 with husband Benson

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson’s wife Maria is turning pro at LFA 135.

Soon former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] will not be the only professional MMA fighter in his household.

At LFA 135 on July 8, Benson’s wife, [autotag]Maria Henderson[/autotag], will make her professional MMA debut following an undefeated amateur run of 3-0. The strawweight bout against Melanie McIntyre takes place at Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

For Maria, everything felt right to make the jump to the professional ranks.

“For us, the timing made sense,” Maria said on Inside LFA with Ron Kruck. ” I was growing, I was able to stay in the gym, stay healthy, and it’s summertime with the kids. We don’t have to worry about a bunch of crazy schedules. … It just felt like it was the next step for us and we felt like I was ready to go pro.”

Standing across the cage from Henderson (0-0) will be McIntyre (0-0), who is also making her professional debut. McIntyre went 3-2 as an amateur fighter, but has experience across other combat sports disciplines. While Benson has nerves while his wife competes, he knows that all of the work and preparation has put her in a good place to be successful inside the cage.

“We work our butts off,” Benson said. “We absolutely work our butts off, so when it’s time for the test, we’re not worried. We’re not scared about it. We’re not nervous for the test. You know, everyone in high school has those things where they’re scared for this test. They go into algebra or whatever like, ‘Oh, I’m not ready for it.’ … Some of us, we have the other side of it where you walk into the math class and you’re ready for the test, not sweating at all, no worries at all. We know that we’re going to ace it. We know the ins and outs of the test. We could write the test for you, take it forwards or backward, no worries.

“When that happens, when our preparation is on point, we know we don’t need to be nervous about anything. She knows that and she’s been well-prepared for all of her fights so far and we’re going to make sure that happens for all her future fights as well.”

Check out the full interview with the Hendersons in the video above.

Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally added to Bellator Dublin card

Benson Henderson gets the first fight on his new contract with Bellator.

Bellator’s card for its return to Ireland is beginning to take shape.

Former UFC champion and Bellator title challenger [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] is now set to face [autotag]Peter Queally[/autotag] in a lightweight matchup. MMA Junkie confirmed the matchup following an initial report from The Irish Sun.

Bellator Dublin is scheduled to take place on Sept. 23 at 3Arena. The contest will serve as Henderson’s first fight under his new multi-fight contract with the promotion, and the first confirmed bout on the card. Queally, along with Sinead Kavanagh, were previously announced to participate on the card, but their opponents were not yet determined.

Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-6 BMMA), 38, will enter the matchup against Queally on the heels of a massive upset victory over Islam Mamedov via split decision at Bellator 273. The win snapped a three-fight skid for the former UFC lightweight champion, who won four-straight prior to the rough stint.

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Queally (13-6-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA), 33, challenged Patricky Freire for the vacant lightweight title in his last outing at Bellator 270, although things did not go his way. The fight was an immediate rematch from their first meeting at Bellator 258, where Queally won due to second-round doctor’s stoppage. Prior to the back-to-back fights with Freire, Queally finished Ryan Scope in the second round at Bellator 227.

With the addition, the Bellator Dublin card includes:

  • Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally
  • Sinead Kavanagh vs. opponent TBA

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Benson Henderson signs new contract to stay with Bellator

Two-time title challenger and former UFC and WEC champion Benson Henderson is staying put with Bellator.

[autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] is staying put with Bellator.

Henderson, a two-time Bellator title challenger and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, has signed a new multi-fight contract with the promotion, Bellator announced Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Henderson had the last fight on his previous deal in January and snapped a three-fight skid with a split decision upset of Islam Mamedov at Bellator 273. Henderson’s status after that was up in the air, but now his near-term future is set.

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Henderson won the UFC lightweight title in against Frankie Edgar in February 2012. He beat him in a rematch later that year, then had title defenses against Nate Diaz and Gilbert Melendez. He lost the belt to Anthony Pettis, who also beat him to win the WEC title in 2010 in that promotion’s final event before a merger with the UFC.

After Henderson lost the title, he went 4-2 in the UFC, including a win over Jorge Masvidal, before heading to Bellator as a free agent in 2016.

He fought Andrey Koreshkov for the welterweight title in his first fight in the promotion, but lost a decision. After a win over Patricio Freire at lightweight, he fought Michael Chandler for the 155-pound title, but dropped a split decision.

After a split call loss to Freire’s brother Patricky, Henderson had his best run in years with four straight wins. But in a rematch with Chandler, he was knocked out in the first round. Then he had two more setbacks against Jason Jackson and former champ Brent Primus before his bounce back against Mamedov.

Henderson, based in the Phoenix area, will turn 39 in November.

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Bellator 273 results: Benson Henderson grinds out upset of Islam Mamedov

Islam Mamedov was a heavy favorite, and Benson Henderson not only gave him a true test, but gave him his first loss in more than 12 years.

[autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] was a heavy favorite, and [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] not only gave him a true test, but gave him his first loss in more than 12 years.

Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-6 BMMA) grinded out a split decision against Mamedov (20-2-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in a fight that saw big momentum swings and submission attempts from both fighters. Henderson took the fight with a pair of 29-28 scores in the Bellator 273 co-main event at Footprint Center in Phoenix. A third judge had it 29-28 for Mamedov.

Mamedov came into the bout on a 20-fight unbeaten streak. He hadn’t lost since his second pro fight in July 2009. Mamedov was as much as a 6-1 favorite in the lightweight bout.

Henderson tried to create distance early with some kick feints. Mamedov stayed patient in the middle looking for openings. Ninety seconds in, Henderson landed a solid inside low kick, and he followed it with a left to the body. After two minutes, Mamedov threw a combination that backed Henderson up, and a body kick came behind it. Midway through the round, Mamedov clinched Henderson and pushed him to the fence. When Mamedov tried a trip takedown, Henderson wound up on top, then went after a guillotine choke. He held it for a a lengthy stretch, but Mamedov worked his way out of it and finished the round on top.

Mamedov faked a few punches in the second, then finally fired off a punch. But when he went for a takedown again, Henderson rolled and went after another guillotine choke. It failed, though, and Mamedov wound up in side control. Then he took Henderson’s back and went for a rear-naked choke. Henderson survived the first effort, but Mamedov drilled him with punches midway through the round. Henderson rallied and went after a heel hook. Mamedov broke free perhaps with the aid of the fence and tried to take Henderson’s back again with a minute left in the round. With 30 seconds left, Mamedov locked in a rear-naked choke and went to the canvas when Henderson slammed them down. Henderson survived the middle frame to see a third.

The two traded punches early in the third, and Henderson pushed forward after 90 seconds with punches and kicks. He went after a big uppercut that missed, then tried a high kick. Midway through the round, Mamedov dropped down and took Henderson to the canvas in a key move to score points with the judges in a close fight. With 90 seconds left, Henderson rolled and looked for a leg submission. He had to eat punches from Mamedov for his effort while Henderson kept his right leg tied up with his own legs.

“I don’t know if I’m going to fight again, so going off with a ‘W’ is good,” Henderson said in the cage after the win.

Henderson snapped a three-fight skid with the upset. It was the longest losing stretch of his career.

Bellator 273 predictions: Who’s picking champ Ryan Bader to upset Valentin Moldavsky?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the Bellator 273 main card with heavyweight champ Ryan Bader vs. interim champ Valentin Moldavsky.

Bader
vs.
Moldavsky		 Henderson
vs.
Mamedov		 Corrales
vs.
Lee		 Homasi
vs.
Willis
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
6-5		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky
(65%)		 mamedov2022
Mamedov
(80%)		 corrales2022
Corrales
(71%)		 willis2022
Willis
(75%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
9-2
trophy copy 2021 Champion		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
7-4		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
7-4		 bader2022
Bader		 henderson2022
Henderson		 lee2022
Lee		 homasi2022
Homasi
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
7-4		 bader2022
Bader		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
6-5
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 bader2022
Bader		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
6-5		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 homasi2022
Homasi
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
6-5		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 lee2022
Lee		 willis2022
Willis
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
6-5
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
6-5		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 homasi2022
Homasi
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
5-6		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
5-6
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis
Nolan King
@mma_kings
5-6		 moldavsky2022
Moldavsky		 mamedov2022
Mamedov		 corrales2022
Corrales		 willis2022
Willis

Bellator is back for the first time in 2022, and there’s a heavyweight title unification bout at the top of the lineup.

Bellator 273 takes place Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (28-7 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) takes on interim champ [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 6-0 BMMA), in a title unification fight. Moldavsky is a sizable -260 favorite at Tipico; the comeback on Bader is +195. Our 12 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are backing Moldavsky fairly heavily at a 9-3 clip.

In the co-feature, former UFC and WEC lightweight champ [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (28-11 MMA, 5-6 BMMA) will try to snap a three-fight slide against [autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA). Mamedov is a big -475 favorite, and he’s got a huge 11-1 lead in the picks.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Henry Corrales[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Aiden Lee[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) in a featherweight fight. And though Lee is a -125 favorite in a close fight at the betting window, our staff members are going with Corrales with a big 10-2 margin.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Jaleel Willis[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) is a -230 favorite at welterweight against [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (15-10 MMA, 4-4 BMMA). Willis, like Corrales, has a hefty 10-2 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Moldavsky (65 percent), Mamedov (80 percent), Corrales (71 percent) and Willis (75 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Benson Henderson wanted fastest route back to title shot – and he drew Islam Mamedov

“If Islam is the guy who if I beat him, I’m that much quicker, faster to a title shot then absolutely.”

PHOENIX – [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] says he asked Scott Coker for an opponent who would get him closest to a title shot.

Despite losing three in a row, former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Henderson (28-11 MMA, 5-6 BMMA) has not given up on his hopes to add another belt to his collection.

Henderson will be making a quick turnaround after losing to Brent Primus in October when he meets [autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) in Saturday’s Bellator 273 co-main event. It’s a tough outing that he asked for.

“I asked them point blank, ‘Hey, what do I need to do?’ I know three losses in a row doesn’t look good,” Henderson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during Wednesday’s Bellator 273 media day in Phoenix. “One’s at 170 (instead of lightweight) – it is what it is. But three losses in a row doesn’t look good. But what do I need to do? What’s the quickest way I can get back to a title shot? Of course I’m biased in my own opinion, but I feel I’m still the best lightweight in the world. How can I go back to there and prove it? How can I get a chance to prove that? And they threw out Islam’s name.”

Henderson will be taking on another strong grappler in Mamedov, who hasn’t lost since dropping his second professional bout. Henderson, a two-time Bellator title challenger, hopes his willingness to take on all comers will help facilitate his path to another shot at the lightweight belt.

“They said this guy is on a 19-fight win streak. He just beat the guy that beat you, Brent Primus, and no one else can fight him,” Henderson said. “They couldn’t get anybody. Everyone is saying no to Islam. So yeah, sign me up. I’m your huckleberry. If Islam is the guy who if I beat him, I’m that much quicker, faster to a title shot then absolutely. I’m all for it.”

Bellator 273 takes place Saturday at Footprint Center. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Bellator 273 pre-event facts: Can Benson Henderson snap career-worst skid?

Former UFC and WEC champ Benson Henderson enters Saturday’s Bellator 273 on the worst losing skid of his career.

Bellator kicks off its 2022 schedule on Saturday with Bellator 273, which takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

A heavyweight championship unification fight is featured in the main event. Reigning divisional kingpin [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (28-7 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) will face interim titleholder [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) atop the card.

For more on the numbers, check below for 20 pre-event facts about Bellator 273.

22 fights on our MMA wishlist for 2022: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3, Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal

What are some of your dream matchups for 2022? Here are 22 fights MMA Junkie hopes to see happen in 2022.

Amidst a tumultuous global pandemic there were many grim realities humans had to endure in 2021. One thing was consistently good, however, and that’s combat sports.

Although just five fights of 21 fights from the 2021 MMA wishlist came to fruition, the sport was extremely hot and gave fans many memorable moments. The world leader of MMA – the UFC – had a particularly great year, and that momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing heading into 2022.

It’s not just UFC fights that are taking attention, either. There’s also plenty happening in Bellator, PFL, Eagle FC and many other promotions.

MMA is in a great spot, and with much excitement we present MMA Junkie’s wishlist of 22 fights we’d like to see in 2022.

Bellator 268 salaries: Vadim Nemkov, Corey Anderson among five six-figure paydays

Five fighters pocketed more than $100,000 at Bellator 268 in Phoenix, according to documents obtained by MMA Junkie.

Bellator 268 featured two light heavyweight grand prix matchups, and the fighters involved were four of the five highest-paid athletes on the card.

Light heavyweight champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] and fellow grand prix finalist [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] led all paydays, as they pocketed six figures as a result of their wins Oct. 16 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Grand prix participants [autotag]Julius Anglickas[/autotag] and [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag], who lost in the semfinals, and former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag], also took home six figures.

On Monday, MMA Junkie acquired a full list of Bellator 268 salaries from the Arizona Department of Gaming, which oversaw the event.

Check out a full list below.

Bellator 268 results: Brent Primus spoils Benson Henderson homecoming, calls for title opportunity

Formeer Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus defeated former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in Arizona.

PHOENIX – [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] played the role of spoiler Saturday when he defeated beloved Arizonian fighter [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] at Bellator 268.

A former Bellator champion, Primus (11-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) defeated a former UFC champion in Henderson (28-11 MMA, 5-6 BMMA) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).

Bellator 268 took place Saturday at Footprint Center. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the opening round, both fighters had their moments on the feet. When the fight hit the canvas, Primus worked for a kimura submission off his back. He was able to roll Henderson over. As he cranked, however, “Smooth” proved his nickname accurate as he slickly utilized the momentum to break the grip. The two duked it out until the round ended.

In Round 2, the two fighters traded leg kick for leg kick. There were massive windups from Henderson on his strikes, which smacked Primus in the body, head, and legs. For the final minute of the round, Primus climbed the back of Henderson in a rear-naked choke attempt. With the local crowd cheering him on, Henderson survived until the buzzer.

For the vast majority of Round 3, Henderson fended off Primus submission attempts. From a guillotine choke to a rear-naked choke, Henderson survived but was dominated on the canvas bell-to-bell. The decision was not well received by the crowd, but Primus lobbied for a title opportunity through the boos and jeers.

The Bellator lightweight title is currently vacant, though the Bellator 270 bout between Patricky Freire and Peter Queally will crown a new champion.

With the win, Primus rebounds from a July loss to Islam Mamedov. The Oregonian lightweight has now won three of his most recent four outings. as for Henderson, the former UFC lightweight champion has lost three straight fights for the first time in his career.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 268 results include:

  • Brent Primus def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Henry Corrales def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Karl Albrektsson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Jaleel Willis via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:05
  • Nick Browne def. Bobby Lee via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:38
  • Javier Torres def. Gregory Milliard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Sumiko Inaba def. Randi Field via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:02
  • Lance Gibson Jr. def. Raymond Pina via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:44
  • Jaylon Bates def. Raphael Montini via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:49
  • Sullivan Cauley def. Deon Clash via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
  • Maria Henderson def. Collette Santiago via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:40

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