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Benson Henderson

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Benson Henderson
Born (1983-11-16) November 16, 1983 (age 40)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Other namesSmooth, Bendo
ResidencePhoenix, Arizona
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight (155 lb)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofGlendale, Arizona
TeamMMA Lab
Rank  Black belt in Taekwondo
  Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
NAIA All American Wrestler
Years active2006-present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins20
By knockout2
By submission8
By decision10
Losses3
By knockout0
By submission2
By decision1
UniversityDana College
Notable school(s)Decatur High School
Websitehttp://www.smoothben.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: March 13, 2012
Benson Henderson
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's Grappling
IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Long Beach -76 kg (Brown)

Benson Henderson (born November 16, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion. As of January 17, 2014, he is #1 in official UFC lightweight rankings and #9 pound-for-pound.[1]

Early life

Henderson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to a Korean American mother and an African American father.[2] He was raised in Federal Way, Washington. When Henderson was approximately 16 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.[citation needed]

"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." [3] Henderson is a devout Christian who gives Christ glory after each of his matches -- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

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 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

Three months later, Henderson made his World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) debut against Anthony Njokuani. Henderson defeated Njokuani with a guillotine choke early in round two. He made his second appearance in the WEC at WEC 40 knocking out contender Shane Roller.

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 was the main event for WEC 43 which was held in Texas. 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.[4] The bout was also awarded 2009 Fight of the Year for all of MMA by Sherdog.com[5]

Henderson defeated Jamie Varner with a Guillotine choke to unify the WEC Lightweight Championship at WEC 46 on January 10, 2010. 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.[6]

Henderson had his first title defense in a rematch with Donald Cerrone on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48, defeating Cerrone via guillotine choke in the first round.[7]

Henderson faced Anthony Pettis on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53.[8] Henderson lost his title by unanimous decision. The fight won Fight of the Night honors.

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.[9] Henderson made his UFC debut at UFC 129 on April 30, 2011, defeating Mark Bocek via unanimous decision.

Henderson next faced Jim Miller on August 14, 2011 at UFC on Versus 5.[10] 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). It was later confirmed that Miller had come into the fight with health problems.

Henderson faced Clay Guida on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds in an action packed war that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors. With the win, he became the #1 contender for the UFC Lightweight title.

Henderson faced Frankie Edgar on February 26, 2012 at UFC 144.[12] Henderson defeated Edgar via unanimous decision to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors for their performance.

A rematch with Edgar took place on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150.[13] In a bout that was very tightly contested, Henderson defeated Edgar again, this time via split decision.[14]

Henderson beat Nate Diaz on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. Henderson punished Diaz with kicks, superior wrestling and ground and pound, Henderson knocked Diaz down twice with punches and got his back on numerous occasions.[15]

Henderson faced the final Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, and promotional newcomer Gilbert Melendez on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[16] Henderson won the fight by a closely contested split decision. After 3 consecutive wins to retain the title, Henderson tied BJ Penn with the highest number of title defenses as a lightweight.

Henderson was expected to face TJ Grant on August 31, 2013 at UFC 164.[17] 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.[18] Pettis defeated Henderson via submission (armbar) in the first round.

In his first post-title loss fight, Henderson faced Josh Thomson on January 25, 2014 in the main event at UFC on FOX 10. Henderson won the fight via split decision.

Personal life

Henderson has one older brother, Julius Henderson.[19] Benson is married to Maria Magana.[20]

Henderson proposed to his fiancée in the Octagon after his win over Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7.[citation needed]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • MMAWeekly.com
    • 2012 Fighter of the Year[23]
  • FightMatrix.com
    • 2012 Fighter of the Year[24]

Submission grappling

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
    • 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Brown 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

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
23 matches 20 wins 3 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 8 2
By decision 10 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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, 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; Fight of the Year.
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. Fight of the Year.
win 9–1 Shane Roller TKO (punches) WEC 40 April 5, 2009 1 1:41 Chicago, Illinois, 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 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) VFC 21: Infamous December 7, 2007 1 2:36 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 3–1 David Dagloria Submission (punches) UCE: 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 160 lb catchweight bout.
Win 2–0 Allen Williams TKO (punches) VFC 18: Hitmen February 16, 2007 1 1:37 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 1–0 Dan Gregary Submission (punches) MCF: Genesis November 18, 2006 1 4:21 North Platte, Nebraska, United States

References

  1. ^ UFC Fighter Rankings
  2. ^ http://news.msn.co.kr/article/read.html?cate_code=8400&article_id=201001131050103012
  3. ^ "WEC - World Extreme Cagefighting - Benson Henderson". www.wec.tv.
  4. ^ "HENDERSON & CERRONE EARN EXTRA WITH WEC BONUSES". www.mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  5. ^ "Sherdog's Fight of the Year". www.sherdog.com. Retrieved 2010-01-14.
  6. ^ WEC 46 live results and play by play
  7. ^ "WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber - Live Results and Commentary". BLOODYELBOW.com. 2010-04-24. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  8. ^ "HENDERSON VS. PETTIS OFFICIAL FOR WEC DEC 16". MMAweekly.com. 2010-09-23.
  9. ^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010.
  10. ^ "Jim Miller Faces Benson Henderson in a Lightweight Bout at UFC on Versus 5". mmaweekly.com. May 11, 2011.
  11. ^ "Clay Guida vs. Benson Henderson in the works for UFC on FOX 1". mmajunkie.com. 2011-09-06.
  12. ^ "UFC champ Frankie Edgar faces Benson Henderson at February's UFC Japan event". mmajunkie.com. November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  13. ^ "Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar II official for UFC 150 in Denver". mmajunkie.com. May 8, 2012.
  14. ^ "UFC 150 Results: Benson Henderson Takes the Decision Over Frankie Edgar". mmafighting.com. Aug 12, 2012.
  15. ^ "Benson Henderson Vs Nate Diaz Headlines Stacked UFC On FOX 5 Event". fightofthenight.com.com. August 15, 2012.
  16. ^ Mike Chiapetta (2013-01-14). "UFC on FOX 7 targeted for Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez lightweight title fight". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  17. ^ Mike Bohn (2013-06-04). "Benson Henderson vs. T.J. Grant lightweight title fight announced as UFC 164 headliner". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
  18. ^ John Morgan (2013-07-12). "T.J. Grant injured, Anthony Pettis now meets champ Benson Henderson at UFC 164". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  19. ^ "Northwest Asian Weekly - Smooth Operator". www.nwasianweekly.com. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  20. ^ "Maria Magana is MMA Benson Henderson's Girlfriend".
  21. ^ "Experts' picks: 2012 MMA awards". espn.go.com.
  22. ^ "2012 Bazzie Awards". youtube.com.
  23. ^ "Benson Henderson: MMAWeekly.com's 2012 Fighter of the Year". MMAWeekly.com.
  24. ^ "FightMatrix MMA Awards". FightMatrix.com.
  25. ^ "Fight of the Year: Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson". MMAFighting.com.
  26. ^ "Fight of the Year: Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone". MMAFighting.com.
  27. ^ "USA TODAY 2010 MMA Awards: New faces appear". USAToday.com.
  28. ^ "SI.com's 2009 MMA Awards". sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
  29. ^ "SHERDOG.COM'S 2012 FIGHTER OF THE YEAR". Sherdog.com.
  30. ^ "SHERDOG.COM'S 2009 FIGHT OF THE YEAR". Sherdog.com.
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

Template:Persondata

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