UFC News 2016: Former Lightweight Champ Benson Henderson Signs With Rival Company Bellator MMA; Dana White Reacts
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson decided to leave the UFC and make a jump to rival company, Bellator MMA.
"Smooth" first broke the news on Monday, through his personal website, describing it as a "big move." He also went on to thank his former employers, UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, for the opportunities that were given to him.
The 32-year-old Henderson began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2006 and was signed by the UFC in 2011. His first fight with the company was in April of the same year at UFC 129, where he won via unanimous decision.
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He put on more notable performances against veterans Clay Guida and Jim Miller soon after, before being awarded with a title shot against then champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 in February 2012. After winning the title against Edgar, he was able to defend it three more times, before losing it to former champion Anthony Pettis at UFC 164 in August 2013.
Henderson would then go on a 4-2 streak, with his most recent victory against Jorge Masvidal in November, where he won via split decision.
In his appearance on Monday's edition of MMA Fighting's The MMA Hour, Henderson explained his decision for leaving the most prominent MMA promotion company today. According to him, being locked down with a Reebok sponsor with the UFC was the biggest motivator for him to make the move.
"For a lot of other fighters, [Reebok] was not the best look for us. For me, I'll say it definitely affected my decision in the grand scheme of things," Henderson said.
Henderson added that Bellator offered him a few other "high tangibles" that the UFC was not able to match.
But according to UFC president Dana White, it must have been all about the money.
In another MMA Fighting report, White says he is "honestly happy" for his former fighter, but Bellator's deal was simply "more up front."
"He got the right deal for him," White said. "He's a great guy, and we wish him all the best."
