Benson Henderson Makes An Intelligent Decision By Moving To Bellator

By Clyde Barretto

A long-time fixture in the UFC lightweight division and more recently the welterweight division, Benson Henderson made a big decision after he fought out his contract.

The 32-year-old Korean American has a resume that challenges most greats in MMA. He has held both the WEC and UFC lightweight titles. He has a record of 25-5, which includes wins over Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez, Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar, Clay Guida, Jim Miller and two over Donald Cerrone. His last two wins were a weight class above in the welterweight division over Brandon Thatch and Jorge Masvidal.

With a big fanbase, the toothpick-wielding fighter has been a loyal employee for the Zuffa-owned MMA organization. But after his last fight, there was uncertainty as to where Henderson would be headed.

On Monday, the big news came out that Henderson decided to join the second-largest MMA promotion, Bellator. The UFC did not match their offer.

An influential factor in Henderson deciding to go elsewhere had to do with the UFC’s exclusive sponsorship deal with Reebok. The veteran only made $15,000 in sponsorship money in a fight he headlined for UFC Fight Night 79 in Seoul, Korea. That was his 14th fight for the promotion.

“I won’t lie, it was a very big deal,” Henderson told ESPN.com. He continued, “The ability to get sponsors on your own and not have to rely on the amount that Reebok dictates to you was a huge factor. I’d be straight up lying if I said it wasn’t a very big part of my decision to go to Bellator.”

Still in his prime, Henderson is now joining Josh Koscheck, Phil Davis, Josh Thompson, Cheick Kongo and the iconic Tito Ortiz, who were all former UFC fighters.

Henderson has already accomplished more than what most MMA competitors and UFC fighters have ever dreamed of. It made absolute sense for him to test free agency and land a deal that would allow him to continue as a prizefighter in the most lucrative way.

With his departure making big waves, it could lead to even further signings by Bellator. Alistair Overeem, who has worked with Scott Coker in Strikeforce, is now a free agent. Matt Mitrione, who lost his last fight but has a following, is also another. Aljamain Sterling, who is a rising star in the bantamweight division, is another one who could test free agency and fight for what he’s worth.

On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Coker told Ariel Helwani that the signing was just “the tip of the iceberg.”

Lastly, Henderson will now be making his first appearance as a Bellator fighter by fighting for their welterweight belt against their current champion, young Russian Andrey Koreshkov. The fight is scheduled for April 22 in Uncasville, Connecticut.

With more money in his pocket, a title shot and challenges in both of Bellator’s lightweight and welterweight division, Henderson made the best decision. Let’s hope other fighters make the same.

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