Despite Setbacks, Benson Henderson Still Has Sights Set on Bellator MMA Gold

It’s safe to say Benson Henderson’s Bellator MMA run hasn’t gone as planned. Henderson departed the Ultimate Fighting Championship early in 2016 to sign a more lucrative deal with its chief competitor.

“Smooth” is 1-3 in his Bellator tenure, and has lost both of his championship bouts: First dropping a decision to Andrey Koreshkov for the Bellator welterweight title on April 22, 2016 and then losing a split decision to Michael Chandler for the Bellator lightweight crown on Nov. 19, 2016.

Henderson plans to get his career back on track when he faces Roger Huerta at Bellator 196 on April 6. Henderson stepped in to take on Huerta (24-9-1 & 1 NC) after his original opponent, James Gallagher, was forced to pull out of the fight. Huerta returns to Bellator for the first time since 2010.

Henderson has beaten some truly world class fighters, including wins over Frankie Edgar, Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone, Gilbert Melendez and Jorge Masvidal.

Henderson recently appeared on “The MMA Hour” and discussed his form in Bellator and how he’s looking to get his career back on track.

“Anti-climatic. Not as advertised.”

“I know I’m a big name still for Bellator, but I haven’t brought the goods, so it’s on me. It’s squarely on my shoulders to back it up, to bring the goods.”

“I pushed for 155,” he said. “They offered a catch weight at first, but I know I didn’t have the best showing at 155, and I want to fight for titles. I want to fight for belts, and that’s why I do what I do. Knowing that, I didn’t want people to say, ‘Henderson’s last fight, he looked good and he won. He got the finish but it was 165, it wasn’t at 155 so is he really deserving?’

“I want to take away as many excuses as possible,” he continued. “I want to get another title shot. I need to get impressive victories. I need to go out there and win, get my hand raised, and I need it to be at 155, not 160, not 165, not 170.”

“Whenever it is I am done with this sport, I want it to be on my terms,” he said. “Whenever that point is, making sure it’s me on top, walking away with my held high.”