Benson Henderson

“Smooth”

MMA · Retired

30-13RECORD

5KO / TKO WINS

9SUBMISSION WINS

16DECISION WINS

Profile

Full name	Not added yet
Nickname	Smooth
Date of birth	16 Nov 1983
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Lives in	Glendale, Arizona
Division	Lightweight / Welterweight
Team	The MMA Lab
Height	175 cm (5′9″)
Reach	180 cm (71″)
Stance	Southpaw
Years active	2006–2023, 2026
Status	Retired
Pro debut	18 Nov 2006
Last fight	Loss vs Patrick Habirora, 23 May 2026

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 10 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

UFC Lightweight Champion (3 defenses)
WEC Lightweight Champion (1 defense)
Interim WEC Lightweight Champion

Background

Benson Henderson is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division for the WEC, UFC, and Bellator. He held the UFC and WEC lightweight titles.

Fight history

43 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Event	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	Patrick Habirora	KO (punches)	1	0:20	PFL Brussels: Habirora vs. Henderson	23 May 2026	Brussels, Belgium	Return to welterweight
Loss	Usman Nurmagomedov	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	2:37	Bellator 292	10 Mar 2023	San Jose, California, U.S.	Bellator Lightweight GP quarterfinal; for Bellator Lightweight title
Win	Peter Queally	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Bellator 285	23 Sep 2022	Dublin, Ireland	Deducted one point in round 2 (groin strike)
Win	Islam Mamedov	Decision (split)	3	5:00	Bellator 273	29 Jan 2022	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Loss	Brent Primus	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Bellator 268	16 Oct 2021	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Loss	Jason Jackson	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Bellator 253	19 Nov 2020	Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.	Welterweight bout
Loss	Michael Chandler	KO (punches)	1	2:09	Bellator 243	7 Aug 2020	Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
Win	Myles Jury	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Bellator 227	27 Sep 2019	Dublin, Ireland
Win	Adam Piccolotti	Decision (split)	3	5:00	Bellator 220	27 Apr 2019	San Jose, California, U.S.
Win	Saad Awad	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Bellator 208	13 Oct 2018	Uniondale, New York, U.S.
Win	Roger Huerta	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	0:49	Bellator 196	6 Apr 2018	Budapest, Hungary
Loss	Patricky Pitbull	Decision (split)	3	5:00	Bellator 183	23 Sep 2017	San Jose, California, U.S.
Loss	Michael Chandler	Decision (split)	5	5:00	Bellator 165	19 Nov 2016	San Jose, California, U.S.	For Bellator Lightweight title
Win	Patrício Pitbull	TKO (leg injury)	2	2:26	Bellator 160	26 Aug 2016	Anaheim, California, U.S.	Return to lightweight
Loss	Andrey Koreshkov	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	Bellator 153	22 Apr 2016	Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.	For Bellator Welterweight title
Win	Jorge Masvidal	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Masvidal	28 Nov 2015	Seoul, South Korea
Win	Brandon Thatch	Submission (rear-naked choke)	4	3:58	UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch	14 Feb 2015	Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.	Welterweight debut; Fight of the Night
Loss	Donald Cerrone	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver	18 Jan 2015	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Loss	Rafael dos Anjos	KO (punch)	1	2:31	UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos	23 Aug 2014	Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Win	Rustam Khabilov	Submission (rear-naked choke)	4	1:16	UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov	7 Jun 2014	Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.	Performance of the Night
Win	Josh Thomson	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson	25 Jan 2014	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Loss	Anthony Pettis	Submission (armbar)	1	4:31	UFC 164	31 Aug 2013	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.	Lost UFC Lightweight title
Win	Gilbert Melendez	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez	20 Apr 2013	San Jose, California, U.S.	Defended UFC Lightweight title
Win	Nate Diaz	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz	8 Dec 2012	Seattle, Washington, U.S.	Defended UFC Lightweight title
Win	Frankie Edgar	Decision (split)	5	5:00	UFC 150	11 Aug 2012	Denver, Colorado, U.S.	Defended UFC Lightweight title
Win	Frankie Edgar	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	UFC 144	26 Feb 2012	Saitama, Japan	Won UFC Lightweight title; Fight of the Night
Win	Clay Guida	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos	12 Nov 2011	Anaheim, California, U.S.	Title eliminator; Fight of the Night
Win	Jim Miller	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle	14 Aug 2011	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Win	Mark Bocek	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	UFC 129	30 Apr 2011	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss	Anthony Pettis	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	WEC 53	16 Dec 2010	Glendale, Arizona, U.S.	Lost WEC Lightweight title; Fight of the Night
Win	Donald Cerrone	Submission (guillotine choke)	1	1:57	WEC 48	24 Apr 2010	Sacramento, California, U.S.	Defended WEC Lightweight title; Submission of the Night
Win	Jamie Varner	Submission (guillotine choke)	3	2:41	WEC 46	10 Jan 2010	Sacramento, California, U.S.	Unified WEC Lightweight title
Win	Donald Cerrone	Decision (unanimous)	5	5:00	WEC 43	10 Oct 2009	San Antonio, Texas, U.S.	Won interim WEC Lightweight title; Fight of the Night
Win	Shane Roller	TKO (punches)	1	1:41	WEC 40	5 Apr 2009	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Win	Anthony Njokuani	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	0:42	WEC 38	25 Jan 2009	San Diego, California, U.S.
Win	Diego Saraiva	Decision (unanimous)	3	5:00	Evolution MMA 1	4 Oct 2008	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Win	Ricardo Tirloni	Submission (guillotine choke)	2	3:49	MFC 17	25 Jul 2008	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win	Mike Maestas	Submission (rear-naked choke)	3	4:11	MFC 16	9 May 2008	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win	Bryan Corley	Submission (rear-naked choke)	1	2:36	Victory FC 21	7 Dec 2007	Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Win	David Dagloria	TKO (submission to punches)	1	1:45	Ultimate Combat Experience: Round 26	23 Jun 2007	Ogden, Utah, U.S.
Loss	Rocky Johnson	Technical submission (anaconda choke)	1	0:46	Battlequest 5	31 Mar 2007	Vail, Colorado, U.S.	Catchweight (160 lbs)
Win	Allen Williams	TKO (punches)	1	1:37	Victory FC 18	16 Feb 2007	Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Win	Dan Gregary	TKO (submission to punches)	1	4:21	Midwest CF: Genesis	18 Nov 2006	North Platte, Nebraska, U.S.	Professional debut