Henderson eyes return to MMA glory in Bellator 183
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Benson Henderson once was considered the best 155-pound mixed martial artist on the planet.
Now, four years after his time on the throne and three fights into his run at Bellator MMA, Henderson is staring at a 1-2 record in his new promotional home.
“I feel like Bellator definitely deserves a couple of great performances,” Henderson told USA TODAY Sports. “I haven’t given Bellator great performances, and I feel like they deserve me giving them a few.”
There have been extenuating circumstances, to be sure. Competing in all three contests with a torn ACL, since surgically repaired, couldn’t have helped. And facing then-welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov and thenlightweight champ Michael Chandler, both of whom reside in the latest USA TODAY Sports/ MMA Junkie rankings in their respective divisions, ensured Henderson didn’t have an easy run after departing the UFC.
On Saturday, Henderson (24-7 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) has an opportunity to right the ship when he takes on Brazilian knockout artist Patricky Freire (17-8, 10-7) in the main event of Bellator 183, which airs on Spike (9 p.m. ET) from SAP Center in San Jose.
For Henderson, who will turn
34 in November, the result could prove telling in terms of what he still has to offer the sport nearly
11 years into his professional career. But the former UFC standout’s performance also could hold significance as either a beaming example or cautionary tale of what happens to fighters who leave MMA’s top promotion seeking greener pastures in the only company that currently can claim to be a competitive threat.
“Bellator is not a victory lap,” Bellator broadcast analyst Jimmy Smith said. “Can Benson Henderson ... stay in the danger zone long enough to win a fight against a guy who with one shot can put him away? That’s the question.”
Henderson is not alone in his struggles to adjust to life in the Bellator cage. Prized welterweight free agent Lorenz Larkin
(18-6, 0-1) made his debut for the promotion in June and suffered a lackluster decision loss to current champ Diego Lima.
“The Monsoon” fights at Bella- tor 183, as well, against veteran British slugger Paul Daley (39
15-2, 5-2).
Fan favorite heavyweight Roy Nelson (22-14, 0-0), who fought
19 times under the UFC banner, will make his promotional debut at Bellator 183 as well and will try to avoid a similar stumble in his first appearance.
“It’s just been exciting,” Nelson said of the buildup.
“Like when you wake up for a new job, even though it’s the same old job, but you’re just like, ‘This is a new job,’ and you want to put your best foot forward. ... I’m just excited to get back in there.”
The trio of recent UFC fighters are part of a growing list of octagon veterans now gracing the Bellator roster. There’s no question UFC remains the dominant brand, but Bellator President Scott Coker, who once presided over a Strikeforce promotion that employed fighters such as Daniel Cormier, Cris Cyborg, Robbie Lawler, Luke Rockhold and Tyron Woodley before they were UFC champions, believes his current company is primed for continued growth.
“It’s not about the league, it’s about the athlete,” Coker said.
Morgan writes for MMAjunkie.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.