SAN JOSE, Calif. – Benson Henderson held UFC gold. He held WEC gold, too. Saturday at SAP Center, he’ll have the opportunity to win the Bellator lightweight championship, a third major promotional title, and a rare feat.
At Bellator 292, Henderson (30-11 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) takes on Usman Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), the current Bellator lightweight champion and a surging younger cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In addition to being a title fight, the bout is a quarterfinal of the promotion’s 155-pound grand prix.
Henderson admits he’s in the twilight phase of his career, but attributes the impending curtain close to a desire rather than a necessity. Physically, he still feels good. It’s not that. His wife, Maria, recently signed a multifight deal with Bellator. Henderson wants to repay the favor, step aside, and let her work on her craft – just like she did for him years ago.
