The Softer Side of 'Smooth'

When the subject turns to faith, interim World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Benson Henderson prefers to let his actions do the talking.

“I try not to be too vocal about it,” says Henderson, a dedicated Christian who will meet Jamie Varner in a WEC 46 title unification bout this Sunday at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif. “That turns people off. I try not to be pushy -- less talking and more walking. Faith is very important to me. Hopefully, people can take a look, see a good guy and take one or two seconds to find out why.”

His good deeds abound. In 2006, Henderson, then a collegiate wrestler at Dana College in Blair, Neb., spent a spring break with roommates in Slidell, La., as part of the Hurricane Katrina cleanup effort. They drove more than 800 miles to the ravaged Gulf Coast and then spent six days lending hands of goodwill.

“That was a very good experience,” Henderson says. “We had to gut houses. The waterline went up to some roofs. Our job was to go in and clear everything out, down to the bare frame. The lady we helped … to see how much it meant to her. She started crying; it affected me on a personal level. I learned a lot about how much little things meant to somebody. That was a big, big deal to her.”

That softer side will not accompany Henderson to the cage in the WEC 46 main event. In Varner, Henderson tackles a hungry returning champion who has not competed in nearly a year. Respect for the 25-year-old sitting titleholder runs deep in the Henderson camp. They train within 20 miles of one another.

“I think Jamie Varner’s a tough guy,” Henderson says. “A lot of times skill and technique win a fight, but if you’ve got a guy who doesn’t have heart, it doesn’t matter how good his skill is. He’s a good champion and has demonstrated it. He’s shown he can go all five rounds.”

So has Henderson. The 26-year-old last appeared in October, when he outpointed Donald Cerrone in a memorable five-round title bout many have pegged as “Fight of the Year.” However, Henderson understands Varner presents an entirely new set of dangers, starting with knockout power in his hands. He expects a chess match to develop.

“I’m kind of interested myself,” Henderson says. “He has really good boxing. We both started as wrestlers. I think my collegiate wrestling is better than his. I think my MMA wrestling is better than his. Then again, he’s been boxing a lot longer than I have. I think it’s going to be a fun fight. Any time you have two good wrestlers go at it, a lot of times you end up with a stand-up war.”

Henderson will carry a nine-fight winning streak into the match. Win or lose, he vows not to depart from his long-term goals.

“There’s only one goal -- to be the best pound-for-pound fighter,” says Henderson, who has spent time training alongside UFC lightweight king B.J. Penn. “No ifs, ands or buts about it. Plain and simple to be the best fighter on the planet. I’ve just got to keep getting better and stay humble. I’ve only been fighting for three years now. I’ve come as far as I’ve come in three years. I have a long way to go, light years to improve. Five years from now, I’ll be 30, 31 years old and hopefully at the top of the 155-pound class. As long as I’m known as the guy, I’ll be happy.”