Ex-UFC, WEC Champ Benson Henderson Discusses Decision to Retire From MMA

Benson Henderson called it a career on Friday night, laying his gloves in the cage following a first-round submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in the Bellator 292 main event.

“These last four fights I signed with Bellator, I told myself that if I lose at all any of these last four fights, then it’s about that time,” Henderson said in the cage immediately after the bout.

“I’ve had a nice, long run. I’ve done a lot of great things and was able to do a lot of amazing accomplishments, and thank you to everybody around the world. Thank you guys for your love and support, I appreciate that.”

The 39-year-old former UFC and WEC lightweight champion further elaborated on his decision at the Bellator 292 post-fight press conference. He said that while he’ll still be involved with the sport, the focus will be on his wife’s fighting career. Maria Henderson is scheduled to make her second pro appearance against Mackenzie Stiller at Bellator 293 on March 31.

“It’s my wife’s turn to shine – her turn to practice three, four times a day and get after it,” Henderson said. “I’ll leave that to her, and I’ll be doing the majority of taking care of the kids. But I’ll still be in the gym, helping my team, and of course helping out my wife.”

Henderson exits the sport with a 30-12 career mark. His resume includes wins over the likes of Donald Cerrone (twice), Jim Miller, Clay Guida, Frankie Edgar (twice), Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson and Jorge Masvidal. “Smooth” hopes that his legacy is defined by his worth ethic above all else.

“If anything, the thing I’m highest on in this life is hard work,” he said. “I don’t care what it is that you do – a journalist, a cameraman, a fighter. It doesn’t matter what you do. It’s all about how hard you work. I think maybe for my career, I want to be known as the guy who worked his butt off.”