All eyes entered the Bellator 293 preliminary card opener on Maria Henderson, but they were on Mackenzie Stiller after the dust settled.
On Friday at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif., Stiller (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) made her presence known when she spoiled the promotional pro debut of Henderson (1-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), wife of former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
The fight was largely one-way traffic as Stiller utilized her wrestling and jiu-jitsu to control Henderson on the ground. After some heavy punches, Stiller worked for an armbar. Stiller rolled Henderson and eventually got the hyperextension – and a tap.
𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 🔥
An impressive professional MMA debut for @mack_judo, defeating Maria Henderson!#Bellator293 | @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by REBEL. pic.twitter.com/EZ0vNOAeg5
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) March 31, 2023
Stiller, 23, hadn’t competed as a professional before Friday. However, her submission prowess was already established as an amateur fighter. In four amateur appearances, Stiller finished every opponent by first-round submission.
Henderson, 30, competed for Bellator once as an amateur in October 2021. Following a 3-0 amateur career, she turned professional. After a submission win in LFA for her pro debut, Henderson returned to Bellator on a multifight deal, which she signed in January.
The full Bellator 293 results include:
- Mackenzie Stiller def. Maria Henderson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:17
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 293.
