Three more fights for Benson. Henderson is over.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Late in his career, Benson Henderson Lightweight Bellator began his Grand Prix Lightweight career with a championship fight against the champion. Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292 on Friday night.
“I’m looking forward to Bellator finally doing the lightweight Grand Prix. They did the welterweight like crazy. They did heavyweight twice. They do light heavyweight. They do a lot. But they never took it lightly,” Henderson told reporters on Wednesday.
Henderson (30-11) has been chasing top players at Bellator about having a lightweight tournament for some time. and takes some time but finally arrived
“Now it’s our turn. We have to show and shine for Bellator,” he said.
Now the big surprise for Henderson is his title bout in the first round. Henderson said Bellator contacted him about his fight with Nurmagomedov without telling him it was a Grand Prix race.
“Of course I like it. (I want that fight) (They) said March. that man is far away But of course, of course I hear rumors about the Grand Prix here and there, but I don’t care. I don’t use my social media too much. I don’t listen to any rumors,” he said.
Henderson says his teammates and coach talk about Grand Prix And he wondered where his invitation was.
“Huh. Bellator never hit me about their Grand Prix. When will it be the Grand Prix? Am I in it? I know I’ll get the title for the next episode. I also want to enter the Grand Prix. Hopefully they do a Grand Prix later, my stupid butt doesn’t connect,” said Henderson.
After contacting Bellator about the Grand Prix Henderson finally figured it out.
“Oh hey, is this Grand Prize for real? Did you guys do this? Like yeah, stupid ass, you’re the first fight in the Grand Prix. You get Nurmagomedov in the first round. I like OH! Yes, okay, it makes sense, thank you,” he said.
“Thank you very much. Sorry for acting stupid.”
The matchup with Nurmagomedov is another tough test for Henderson, whose long MMA career has paired him with some of the best 155-pound fighters from various organizations. Henderson holds numerous titles, including a WEC title and a UFC title.
“I think winning this Grand Prix will be quite amazing. I have worked on many things The decision I made in my career to go this route. Winning this lightweight belt is my third. The Bellator Lite Championship means everything. It means everything to me,” said Henderson.
With Henderson turning 40, surpassing the 24-year-old late in his career, one has to wonder how long he’ll be wearing his fighting gloves.
“For me, my end date is these last 3 bouts and I’m done. I signed a 4 bout contract with Bellator saying hey we’re done. no more It’s my wife’s turn, Maria. It’s her turn to shine. She left her career like many wives do,” he said.
“My wife gave up her career so that I could shine. Did what I did and it worked out well for us. Now it was my turn to drop off to pick up the kids from school, send them to soccer practice. take him to practice chess and let her rehearse.”
Dad Henderson is the next job of former WEC, UFC champion and Bellator lightweight hopeful.
“When the child is sick One of us must stay home. She won’t be able to stay home. it will be me at home She already has four young children. Now it’s my turn to take care of them while she’s off to the gym, getting better,” he said.
Watch the full day’s media battle with Benson Henderson above. He takes on Usman Nurmagomedov in the main event at Bellator 292 in the first round of the Lightweight Grand Prix on Friday night in San Jose, California.
